PRIME MINISTER

Advisers

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish a list of (a) advisers, (b) agencies and (c) task forces (i) based in and (ii) administratively linked to his office.

Tony Blair: At 15 October, I had agreed to the appointment of the following special advisers:
	Andrew Adonis
	Phil Bassett
	David Bradshaw
	Alastair Campbell
	Hilary Coffman
	Patrick Diamond
	Kate Garvey
	Anji Hunter
	Sarah Hunter
	Peter Hyman
	Katie Kay
	Roger Liddle
	Liz Lloyd
	Alasdair McGowan
	Chris McShane
	Fiona Millar
	Joanna Nadin
	Geoffrey Norris
	Carey Oppenheim
	Jonathan Powell
	Ed Richards
	Catherine Rimmer
	Justin Russell
	Derek Scott
	Carl Shoben
	Simon Stevens.
	In addition, I announced last week the appointment of independent advisers to work with the new Forward Strategy Unit (FSU). These roles are unpaid. Those appointed are:
	Arnab Banerji—Chief Investment Office of F&C Management Ltd.;
	Nick Lovegrove—Partner at McKinsey's;
	Penny Hughes—formerly President of Coca Cola Great Britain and Ireland, currently non-executive director of Vodafone plc and Trinity Mirror plc;
	Adair Turner—Vice Chairman of Merrill Lynch.
	Lord Birt, my unpaid strategy adviser, will have an overarching role on a number of projects supported by the FSU.
	For details of other appointments and non-departmental public bodies linked to my office, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the Cabinet Office Departmental Report 2001 (www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/2001/co report), a copy of which is in the Library of the House. An up-to-date list of task forces, review groups and other ad hoc advisory groups will be published soon by the Cabinet Office.

Advisers

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Prime Minister for what reason salaries of Ministers special advisers are confidential.

Tony Blair: Details of individual special advisers' salaries are not published in order to protect the privacy of the individual concerned.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Money Laundering

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the role of the banks in Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus in money laundering for (a) terrorists and (b) drug runners connected to Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Hain: The "Turkish Republic of northern Cyprus" is not internationally recognised except by Turkey, and has consequently never been formally assessed by any of the leading global anti-money laundering organisations. There is evidence, however, that it is vulnerable to exploitation by those involved in money laundering, and it has taken some steps to combat this.
	The United Kingdom authorities will continue to remain alert to the activities of financial institutions in the area.

Maluku

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent action the Government have taken to help Indonesian Christians and Muslims on the Maluku Islands.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department for International Development (DfID) has pledged more than £4 million to help establish the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Conflict Prevention and Recovery Unit in Jakarta. The unit will build up capacity in conflict reduction and recovery in the provinces torn apart by ethnic conflict, particularly in north Maluku. We will continue to work with the Indonesian authorities and UNDP to promote reconciliation, begin wider reconstruction work and to offer practical assistance where appropriate.
	The British Government have repeatedly encouraged the Indonesian Government bilaterally and through multilateral forums to bring to justice religious extremists responsible for human rights abuses in Maluku. I most recently raised these issues with the Indonesian Vice President, Hamzah Haz, when we met in Jakarta in August.

Balkan Rebels (al-Qaeda Funding)

Mike O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence he has of al-Qaeda funding of the rebels in Albania

Denis MacShane: We have no evidence of al-Qaeda funding activity in Albania.

Macedonia

Mike O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Mujahedeen who operated with the Bosnian Army in the 1990s are now involved with the rebels in Macedonia.

Denis MacShane: We have no evidence that any Mujahedeen who operated in Bosnia are now active in Macedonia.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Plutonium Transportation

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the security arrangements covering the transportation of plutonium.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 15 October 2001
	The transportation of plutonium is carried out in accordance with strict national and international regulations and recommendations. The standards applied are approved by the Director for Civil Nuclear Security, the Government's Regulator, to ensure that the security risks associated with the transportation of nuclear material are effectively countered by protective measures.

Pyramid Investment Schemes

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she expects to introduce regulations tightening controls on pyramid investment schemes.

Melanie Johnson: Investment schemes fall within the responsibility of the Financial Services Authority.

Utilities

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will ensure that consumers of gas and electricity who are wrongly transferred from their supplier are compensated for resulting loss and inconvenience.

Melanie Johnson: A voluntary code has been developed by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM) and the Gas and Electricity Consumer Council (Energywatch) and has been accepted by all suppliers of gas and electricity to domestic consumers. The code, known as the Erroneous Transfer Customer Charter, will come into effect in January 2002. It will ensure that consumers who have been wrongly transferred will be returned to their previous supplier with as little inconvenience as possible. The consumer will be able to contact either supplier, who will resolve the problem and provide the consumer with any necessary information.

Bassetlaw

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many businesses in Bassetlaw constituency have been (a) assisted and (b) established by the Small Business Service in the last year.

Nigel Griffiths: Since April 2001, 142 businesses in Bassetlaw have been assisted. In the previous 12 months a local Enterprise Agency supported 226 and facilitated 29 business start-ups.

Fishermen's Compensation Scheme

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many ex-trawlermen whose claims are outstanding have died since the fishermen's compensation scheme was announced.

Nigel Griffiths: I regret that this information is not available, since the Department is not informed of deaths in many cases.

Fireworks (Accidents)

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) deaths and (b) serious injuries were caused by fireworks in each of the last 10 years.

Melanie Johnson: The number of deaths and injuries caused by fireworks in each of the last 10 years is given in the following table. The seriousness of injuries is not separately identified in the annual statistics.
	
		
			  Total number of accidents Deaths 
		
		
			 2000 972 2 
			 1999 1,056 0 
			 1998 831 0 
			 1997 908 0 
			 1996 1,233 2 
			 1995 1,530 0 
			 1994 1,574 2 
			 1993 1,058 0 
			 1992 942 0 
			 1991 723 0 
			 1990 805 0

Wind Turbines

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to promote offshore wind farming as an alternative source of energy.

Brian Wilson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Thomas) on 22 October 2001, Official Report, column 13W.

BSkyB

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she expects the Office of Fair Trading to report on its inquiry into BSkyB.

Melanie Johnson: Competition Act inquiries are a matter for the Director General of Fair Trading.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

TRIPS Council

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the outcome of the TRIPS Council between WTO member states on 19 September.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 23 October 2001
	I have been asked to reply.
	The TRIPS (Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights) Council on 19 September concentrated on issues about access to medicines.
	The meeting reached no conclusion and the matter has been referred to the Chair of the World Trade Organisation General Council to take forward discussions regarding a ministerial declaration. The next TRIPS Council will be on 26 to 30 November 2001.

DEFENCE

Service Personnel (Gosport)

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes are planned for the numbers of service personnel to be based in service establishments in the Gosport constituency.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19 July 2001, Official Report, columns 334–35W to my hon. Friend the member for Warrington, North (Helen Jones) in which I advised the House that as part of the implementation of the Defence Training Review the Ministry of Defence is conducting a series of studies into rationalisation of training facilities. Under this programme HMS Sultan in Gosport will be the benchmark or Public Sector Comparator for electro- mechanical engineering training. As Project Definition work is not due to be completed until next March it is, however, too early to judge the outcome of this study.

Skynet 5

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the employment implications for United Kingdom companies with special reference to Astrium Ltd. of the awarding of his Department's Skynet 5 Military Satellite Communications contract to a majority UK-based communications company;
	(2)  when he expects to announce the name of the company making the successful bid in his Department's Skynet 5 Military Satellite Communications contract, and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the Paradigm Secure Communications consortium's bid to be awarded his Department's Skynet 5 Military Satellite Communications contract, and if he will list the names of the companies which have submitted bids;
	(4)  what criteria he is using to assess the bids for the awarding of his Department's Skynet 5 Military Satellite Communications contract.

Lewis Moonie: Proposals have been received from two consortia: Paradigm Secure Communications (led by Astrium) and Rosetta Global Communications (led by Lockheed Martin, British Telecom and BAE Systems). The evaluation of Skynet 5 is very complex and will primarily take into account financial, commercial and technical issues. The assessment will also consider the industrial implications of each proposal. Both bidders have been invited to submit 'Best and Final Offers' by the end of November 2001. All aspects of the bids will be fully assessed before a decision is reached. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the bidders' proposals while the competition is taking place. However, on current plans I expect to announce the preferred bidder in the early part of 2002.

Internees (Far East)

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advice the Department of Social Security gave to the Association of British Civilian Internees Far East Region in November 2000 on the interpretation of which categories of claimant could count as British in order to qualify for the ex gratia payments announced on 7 November 2000.

Lewis Moonie: The ex-gratia scheme for former captives of the Japanese is administered by the War Pensions Agency, which was an executive agency of the Department of Social Security until 8 June 2001 when the agency transferred to the Ministry of Defence.
	I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 22 October 2001, Official Report, column 2W.

Plutonium

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the source of the 0.3 tonnes of plutonium still to be moved from AWE Aldermaston to Sellafield as of 14 March 2000; what quantities of plutonium have been moved to Sellafield and placed under safeguards since this date; and what plans there are to move further quantities of military plutonium to Sellafield.

Adam Ingram: Taken in their totality, acquisitions of plutonium for the nuclear weapons programme were predominantly from Sellafield. A number of other sources are described in the Ministry of Defence report of April 2000, entitled 'Plutonium and Aldermaston, an Historical Account'. It is however impossible to identify the specific original source of the 0.3 tonnes of weapon grade material to which my hon. Friend refers. Of this 0.3 tonnes, some 235 kilograms have been moved to Sellafield and placed under International Safeguards—this represents some 162 kilograms since 14 March 2000. It is intended that the balance of 65 kilograms will be moved in due course.

Microsoft

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department has plans to migrate to Microsoft Windows XP and MS Office XP; what estimate of the costs involved has been made; and what alternatives have been examined.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is planning to integrate its corporate information systems under a single Defence Information Infrastructure programme, the requirements for which are still being formulated. If approved, this programme will assess various options including software provision and any potential move to Microsoft XP products, taking account of costs and benefits.
	Separately, MOD has recently agreed a defence-wide licensing agreement reflecting the considerable number of Microsoft products already used within the MOD. This agreement would allow MOD to migrate to new products if shown to be cost-effective.

Armed Forces (Pensions)

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what abatement is made in respect of pay levels in the armed forces to take account of the benefits from the non-contributory pension scheme.

Adam Ingram: It is the remit of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB) to consider broad pay comparability, and this includes taking account of the deferred pay represented by pension provision. The AFPRB currently applies an abatement to comparators' earnings to account for the early and fast accrual of benefits under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) compared with those available in the civilian sector. The level of abatement set in the AFPRB's 30th Report (2001) is 7 per cent.

Armed Forces (Pensions)

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate has been made of the costs of increasing death-in-service benefits of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Within the current Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS), the death-in-service gratuity for non- attributable deaths is significantly lower than in most other comparable pension schemes. The recent consultation document setting out our initial findings from the review of the AFPS therefore recommended that the death-in-service gratuity should be increased to three times pensionable salary. Overall, the changes would represent a substantial improvement in terms for family and dependants. The additional cost of this enhancement has been estimated at some £9 million per annum.

Armed Forces (Pensions)

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the review of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme will report.

Adam Ingram: The period of public consultation was due to end formally on 31 July but was extended informally to admit some late replies. The Ministry of Defence is now undertaking an analysis of the responses with a view to identifying significant issues and recommending how it might move ahead on these. This will require detailed discussions to agree responses that meet our recruitment and retention needs, but which are also consistent with wider public sector pensions policy. In addition, we intend to engage in further discussions with the ex-service community during this process, both to discuss their particular concerns and inform them of our thinking. This approach means that it is not possible to set a definitive time scale but our current plan is that we should seek to report on the review by the late spring of next year.

Service Accommodation

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to ensure that substandard service living quarters are upgraded; and within what time scale.

Lewis Moonie: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced a significant new programme of investment at the Defence Estates Conference for Industry on 14 March 2001.
	The upgrade programme will involve a major investment year on year for the next decade, which will build up to new investment levels of approximately £200 million per year on new and upgraded accommodation.
	A number of upgrade and rebuild programmes are already under way. We are preparing a competition for a major Single Living Accommodation Modernisation Prime Contract, to be awarded by the end of 2002.

Territorial Army

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role has been played by the Territorial Army in Exercise Swift Sword. [R]

Lewis Moonie: The Territorial Army have made a very positive contribution to exercise Saif Sareea (Swift Sword) II in a variety of roles. Around 400 Territorial Army personnel have been deployed primarily to augment regular units in a wide range of specialist functions including intelligence, medical support and military policing.

Porton Down

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to which states (a) biological and (b) chemical material have been supplied from Porton Down since 1990.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 23 October 2001
	The Defence and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down has supplied biological, or biologically derived samples to the following countries: USA, France, Belgium, Sweden, Australia, Germany, Austria, Spain, Netherlands, Norway, Italy, Japan and Canada. Chemical materials that fall within the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention have been supplied to Sweden and Canada.

Challenger

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the production lead time is for producing additional air filters for the Challenger II main battle tank;
	(2)  what production facilities exist to produce air filters for the Challenger II main battle tank.

Lewis Moonie: The Challenger II air filter is produced by PALL Aerospace at their facility in Redruth, Cornwall. The company have a production lead time of eight weeks, but they have been able to provide filters within a three week period when necessary.

Tracer Programme

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Tracer programme.

Lewis Moonie: The UK and the US have taken a joint decision to bring the Tracer programme to a close in July 2002 when the current assessment phase comes to an end. In keeping with the principles of Smart Acquisition, this illustrates our willingness to take the right decision early in a programme in response to changing priorities. The Tracer programme has successfully developed a pool of key technologies that can now be utilised in future programmes such as the Future Rapid Effects System which will play a key role in meeting the Land Commander's Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance needs.

STTA Map

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors underlay the drawing of the STTA map, LFA14T; and when the borders were last redrawn.

Lewis Moonie: The Tactical Training Areas, within which Operational Low Flying is conducted, were selected on the basis of low population density and remoteness from major conurbations. The boundary of Low Flying Area 14(T) has remained unchanged since it was established, with the creation of the current UK Low Flying System, in 1979.

Chemical Warfare Training

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent training the armed forces have received for dealing with chemical warfare; how up to date that training is; and what has been done to ensure that training has been updated to take account of recent terrorist attacks and the present international situation.

Adam Ingram: Training for nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) defence is a wide ranging and comprehensive activity for all armed forces personnel, beginning with basic recruit courses and continuing throughout their careers. Training is carried out both individually and collectively in units and formations. NBC defence is integrated into a wide range of military training, including major and minor exercises. The Defence NBC Centre at Winterbourne Gunner is world-renowned. A major task of this tri-service unit is to provide the best possible training in NBC defence for officers and NCOs, whether they are employed in staff appointments, as instructors, or at unit level. The content of training courses remains under regular review to ensure that it is relevant, up to date and effective, and mechanisms are in place to ensure that NBC Defence training is validated by all three services.

Road Traffic Accidents

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Road Traffic Accidents involving service personnel have taken place in the last 12 months on (a) MOD property and (b) public roads in which driver's fatigue has been identified as a significant factor; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Information on Road Traffic Accidents is updated centrally for the period 1 April to 31 March each year. The number of Road Traffic Accidents for the year 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001 where driver fatigue was identified as a contributory factor, rather than a significant factor, is 115, broken down as follows:
	
		
			 Places Number 
		
		
			 On Ministry of Defence property 47 
			 On public roads 68 
		
	
	Further information on road safety matters is contained within the Defence Annual Road Safety Report and a copy of the report for 1999–2000 will be placed in the House shortly. This report also contains details of various measures being put in place to reduce the risk of accidents (including fatigue). The report for 2000–01 is due to be published towards the end of this year, and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House when it becomes available.

Apache Helicopter Programme

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 22 October 2001, Official Report, column 4W, when the first operational Apache Squadron will be available; and when a full task force capability based on an attack helicopter regiment will be operational.

Adam Ingram: The first regiment to be equipped with Apache will be 9 Regiment Army Air Corps, based at Dishforth. Elements from that regiment will provide an Initial Operational Capability in 2004. A full Operational Capability, based on three regiments, is expected to be available by the end of 2007.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

Parliamentary Questions

Margaret Moran: To ask the President of the Council what plans he has to make proposals to the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons on submitting parliamentary questions by electronic means.

Robin Cook: Responsibility for this rests with the Procedure Committee. However, I understand the Committee is currently inquiring into parliamentary questions and I am sure that Members will have an opportunity to make the Committee aware of their views.

Webcasting

Margaret Moran: To ask the President of the Council what plans he has to make proposals to the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons on webcasting the business of the House.

Robin Cook: Responsibility for this rests with the Broadcasting Committee. However, I understand that, following a recommendation from the Committee, a pilot project to explore the potential of webcasting will begin in January, and proceedings from each House will be webcast from that date.

New Technology

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the President of the Council what the cause was of the delay in the supply of new technology for hon. Members; and if he will make a statement.

Robin Cook: During the debate on Members' Allowances, Insurance &c. on 5 July 2001, Official Report, columns 421–77, I said to the House that distributing new computer equipment to Members' offices in Westminster and the constituencies has proved to be a massive logistical exercise. Hon. Members will therefore not be surprised to learn that early delays were due to the complexity of the operation. Our suppliers have had to process orders with different combinations of product and then to dispatch and install the equipment, often on two or three sites.
	The new Advisory Panel on the Members' Vote which advises Mr. Speaker and myself has been monitoring progress. I am told that of the 468 Members who have now placed orders, 162 have been fulfilled and 55 have been met in part. Members who ordered before the end of the recess can expect to be offered delivery and installation before the end of November. By the end of the financial year over 6,000 items will have been delivered and installed to over 1,300 locations.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

School Exclusions

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to reintroduce targets for the reduction of exclusions from schools.

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to reintroduce targets for the reduction of exclusions from schools.

Stephen Timms: We have no plans to set fresh targets to reduce permanent exclusions further. We have met our target to reduce permanent exclusions by a third a year early and consider the current level of exclusions to be sustainable. Our priority now is to ensure that teachers are supported in maintaining classroom discipline, and that where pupils are permanently excluded, they receive a full-time education.

Teachers (Retention)

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to encourage people who have left the profession to return to teaching.

Stephen Timms: We have recently introduced a series of incentives to encourage qualified teachers to return to the profession. We have introduced a scheme to pay bonuses of up to £4,000 to those returning to teaching in maintained schools and non-maintained special schools between April and December this year. We have increased funding to provide a total of 1,800 places a year on refresher courses for returners to teaching, including £150 a week grants and help towards child care costs. And we have also made changes to the Teachers' Pension Scheme to make it easier and more attractive to retired teachers to return to teaching on either a full-time or part-time basis.

Class Sizes

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action she is taking to reduce junior class sizes.

Stephen Timms: As a result of the additional funds we have invested in education, the average size of junior classes has fallen from 28.4 January 1999 to 27.9 in January 2001.

Grammar School Ballots

Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to alter the franchise for ballots on the future of grammar schools to include those parents whose children attend the school.

Stephen Timms: In selective areas the electorate already includes parents whose children attend grammar schools. We have no plans to amend the criteria of eligibility for parents voting in feeder school ballots.

Grammar School Ballots

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to alter the system of holding ballots on the future of grammar schools.

Stephen Timms: We have no plans to amend the grammar school ballots legislation.

Teacher Work Load (PricewaterhouseCoopers Review)

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she expects to publish the findings of the review of teacher work load being carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Stephen Timms: PricewaterhouseCoopers produced their interim report in August. Copies are available on the Department's website: www.dfes.gov.uk/teachers/ workloadstudy. The final report is expected at the end of November.

Student Finance

David Rendel: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to review student finance.

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what arrangements her Department has made to monitor and evaluate the impact of funding changes on access to higher education.

Margaret Hodge: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills announced on 3 October 2001 that she is leading a review of student funding, working together with representatives from HM Treasury and No. 10. We need to ensure that we have an appropriate balance between the contribution made by students, their families and the state to support our ambitions to widen access and participation in higher education. A range of policy options is being considered. No decisions have been taken.

Student Finance

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  which bodies she will invite to submit representations to the cross-departmental review she has announced on student finance;
	(2)  what plans she has to invite external submissions to the cross-departmental review she has announced on student finance.

Margaret Hodge: We have said that we plan to consult on any proposals to emerge from the review.

Student Finance

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she plans to meet representatives of Universities UK to discuss student finance.

Margaret Hodge: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills has written to Prof. Roderick Floud, President of Universities UK, to inform him that a review is under way. We plan to consult on any proposals for change and would expect Universities UK to contribute.

Student Finance

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she intends to meet representatives of the National Union of Students to discuss student finance.

Margaret Hodge: I met Owain James, President of the National Union of Students, in the summer to discuss student finance. We are currently reviewing student finance policy. We plan to consult and would expect the National Union of Students to contribute.

Student Finance

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what options are under consideration in the review of student finance which she has announced; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: We will consult on proposals that emerge from the review.

A-level Results

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on this year's A-level results.

Ivan Lewis: The advanced level results published by the Joint Council for General Qualifications on 16 August 2001 are provisional. A copy of these provisional results has been placed in the Library. Final figures for this year's results will be published in November.

Learning and Skills Councils

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on learning and skills councils.

Margaret Hodge: The Learning and Skills Council and its 47 local arms became fully operational from April 2001. Significant progress has been made by the LSC to develop its strategic framework for the period to 2004, with the publication of its first corporate plan at the end of July. The plan includes key objectives and targets for 2004. This is providing the foundation for local strategic plans and business plans, which are now being developed by the local councils in consultation with key local and regional partners.

Further Education

Laura Moffatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on her plans to improve standards in further education colleges.

John Healey: We are fully committed to raising standards in further education colleges and will reward high quality and take firm action where our standards are not being met. We are supporting teaching staff to continue their professional development, requiring that new staff have the necessary qualifications, and helping colleges to update their computer equipment and develop centres of excellence.

Further Education

David Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on her plans for the development of further education provision for (a) 16 to 19-years-old and (b) adults.

Margaret Hodge: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Eltham (Clive Efford), Official Report, 25 October 2001, column 393.

Research Assessment Exercise 2001

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to review with the Higher Education Funding Council the operation of the 2001 research assessment exercise.

Margaret Hodge: The operation of the 2001 research assessment exercise will be reviewed by the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the other UK funding bodies after the exercise has been completed.

Specialist Schools

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the progress of the specialist schools status programme.

Stephen Timms: The Specialist Schools Programme is popular and successful. Since May 1997, 504 schools have joined the growing network of specialist schools. There are now 685 operational specialist schools across the country and we are on course to achieve the proposals set out in the White Paper "Schools achieving success" to extend the programme to eight specialisms and expand the number of specialist schools to 1,500 schools by 2005.

Curriculum 2000

Jonathan R Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she will issue new guidance following the review of Curriculum 2000.

Ivan Lewis: In August, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority published detailed guidance for schools and colleges. This is available on its website. A copy has been placed in the Library.
	On 12 September, the Joint Council for General Qualifications issued guidance to schools and colleges about measures designed to reduce "burden of assessment".

Teacher Shortages

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations she has received from Oxfordshire county council concerning teacher shortages.

Stephen Timms: Officials have maintained regular contact with Oxfordshire local education authority over recent months. The LEA and schools are working hard to recruit the teachers they need and I am pleased to be able to report that schools in Oxfordshire are operating normally.

Education White Paper

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what meetings she has had with the National Union of Teachers to discuss the Government's White Paper on education.

Stephen Timms: My right hon. Friend met the National Union of Teachers at the time of the launch to brief them on the White Paper and again on 4 October 2001 to discuss the proposals.

Connexions Service

Bridget Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what effect the Connexions service has had on levels of participation and attainment.

Ivan Lewis: Since April 2001, 15 out of a total of 47 Connexions partnerships have commenced operation. The remaining partnerships will be phased in during 2002–03. Raising the levexls of participation and attainment of young people in education and training in conjunction with other partners is seen as a key objective of the new service and is reflected in the priorities and targets of all Connexions partnerships. The progress of partnerships towards meeting these key targets will form an important part of the performance review process in future years once relevant annual data covering participation and achievement become available from 2002 onwards.

Individual Learning Accounts

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the future of individual learning accounts.

Estelle Morris: The individual learning account (ILA) programme is to be withdrawn from 7 December in England. The programme has attracted over 2.5 million account holders and has been a great success in bringing down the financial barriers to learning. ILAs have opened up access for a great many people to a wide range of learning opportunities. However, the rapid growth of the scheme has exceeded all expectations, causing us to think again about how best to target public funds in this area and secure value for money. I also have concerns about the way in which some ILAs have been promoted and sold. There is growing evidence that some companies are abusing the scheme by offering low value, poor quality learning.
	The scheme is now closed to applications for new accounts, but learning begun by existing account holders will continue to be supported provided it is booked with the ILA centre by 7 December. We remain committed to a forward-looking policy of encouraging the widest possible participation in lifelong learning.

Failing Schools

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the funding of failing schools and strategies to improve them.

Stephen Timms: The Standards Fund supports expenditure required to bring schools out of special measures. LEAs and schools may provide additional funding focused on action to secure improvements.
	Governors of every school on special measures and the LEA are required to produce an action plan setting out how they are addressing causes of failure. The effectiveness of a school's actions is monitored by OFSTED. My Department works with LEAs to challenge and support actions under way.

Royal Prerogative

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many ministerial decisions were made where authority for the same derived from the royal prerogative for the most recent calendar month for which information is available.

Estelle Morris: Records are not kept of the individual occasions on which powers under the royal prerogative are exercised, nor would it be practicable to do so.

LEA Funding Formula

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress she has made in the review of the LEA funding formula.

Stephen Timms: We have two working groups, comprising local government and schools partners, developing proposals for a new LEA funding system. To ensure that we get the formula right, we have decided to implement reform in 2003–04 rather than 2002–3. This will allow us to see the impact of all the changes we will be making to local authority finance, not just those which affect education.

Post-16 Education (Northumberland)

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement about the operation of the new funding for post-16 education in Northumberland.

Margaret Hodge: Funding for school sixth forms in Northumberland this year is provided by the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions. The Learning and Skills Council provides funding for further education and work-based training. From April 2002 responsibility for funding school sixth forms will transfer to the Learning and Skills Council. Funds will continue to reach schools via the Local Education Authority.

Primary School Standards

Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement about standards in primary schools.

John Healey: There has been a substantial rise in primary school standards following the introduction of the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies. Since 1998, there has been a 10 per cent. point improvement to 75 per cent. in the number of pupils achieving the expected standard for their age in the Key Stage 2 English tests and a 12 per cent. point improvement to 71 per cent. in maths. We remain committed to raising standards further and achieving the challenging targets we have set.

School Discipline (Somerset)

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what meetings she has had with Ofsted to discuss standards of discipline in schools in Somerset.

Stephen Timms: My right hon. Friend has not taken part in any meetings with Ofsted about school discipline in Somerset. However, we do meet Ofsted colleagues regularly, and standards of discipline in a particular local education authority will be discussed if an inspection of that authority shows that standards are poor.

Aiding Communication in Education Centre North

Lorna Fitzsimons: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to support the Aiding Communication in Education Centre North.

John Healey: The Department for Education and Skills funds both the Aiding Communication in Education (ACE) Centre North and the Aiding Communication in Education Centre Advisory Trust through the British Education Communications and Technology Agency (Becta).
	We are currently working with the ACE Centre North to support its transition to charitable status. We will continue to support the valuable work of these centres in providing services for children and young people who use communication aids.

Education Spending

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what was the share of gross domestic product spent on education in each year since 1992–93.

Estelle Morris: holding answer 19 October 2001
	The amount of gross domestic product spent on education between 1992 and 1997 fell from 5.1 per cent. to 4.6 per cent. Between 1998 and 2002 it will have risen from 4.5 per cent. to 5.0 per cent. This translates to a cash increase of almost £11 billion. It is estimated to rise to 5.3 per cent. by 2003–04, which means the Government will have kept their manifesto promise to increase the proportion of national income spent on education in this Parliament.
	Public sector education spending in the United Kingdom as a proportion of GDP in each year since 1992–93 is shown in the table:
	
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 1992–93 5.1 
			 1993–94 5.1 
			 1994–95 5.0 
			 1995–96 4.9 
			 1996–97 4.7 
			 1997–98 4.6 
			 1998–99 4.5 
			 1999–2000 4.5 
			 2000–01(1) 4.8 
			 2001–02(1) 5.0 
			 2002–03(2) 5.1 
			 2003–04(2) 5.3 
		
	
	(1) Estimate
	(2) Forecast figures
	Source:
	Tables 1.2 and 3.4 of "Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses, 2001–02" and prior equivalents

Union Learning Representatives

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will announce the results of the recent consultation on proposals to place union learning representatives on a statutory footing.

John Healey: I am pleased to announce today the results of the consultation. There were 89 responses and the majority of respondents agreed strongly with the proposals in the consultation document that learning representatives should qualify as such if elected or appointed according to the rules of the union and that they should undergo training within a specified period. There was much general support for the production of a Code of Practice to help with the implementation of the practical implications of the proposals. This will include guidance on reasonable time off and the use of facilities. We will introduce legislation on this at the earliest opportunity.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Safe Cells

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many safe cells will be installed in (a) prisons and (b) police stations in (i) the current and (ii) the next financial year.

Beverley Hughes: A total of 681 safer cells will be installed in prisons in 2001–02, and there is at present financial provision for a further 531 in 2002–03. These include 576 in 2001–02, and in 2002–03, in Design, Construction, Management and Finance (DCMF) prisons in which elements of the safer cell are being incorporated.
	Safer cells are not fitted at police stations, but each of the 43 forces will continue to upgrade cells to reduce ligature points. There are no figures available for the number of cells to be improved in this manner either for this year or the next financial year.

Safe Cells

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners accommodated in safe cells have committed suicide in the last five years.

Beverley Hughes: One. The cause of death is not yet known as the inquest is outstanding.

Safe Cells

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many safe cells were installed in (a) prisons and (b) police stations in each of the last five years.

Beverley Hughes: The table shows the numbers of safer cells installed in prisons in each of last five years. These include 2,441 cells in Design, Construction, Management and finance (DCMF) prisons in which elements of the safer cell are incorporated. Safer cells are not fitted at police stations, but each of the 43 forces will be upgrading cells to reduce ligature points as and when funds allow.
	
		The number of safer prison service cells installed in prisons from 1997–2002
		
			 Year Total 
		
		
			 1997–98 10 
			 1998–99 120 
			 1999–2000 10 
			 2000- 01 1,919 
			 2001–02 681 
			  
			 Full total 2,740

Prison Suicides

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners committed suicide in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and how many were (a) male, (b) female, (c) on remand and (d) aged under 21 years.

Beverley Hughes: Statistics for the number of self- inflicted prisoner deaths between 1996–2000 are shown in the table.
	
		Number of suicides in England and Wales in each of the years 1996 to 2000 by gender, on remand and under 21 years of age
		
			 Year Total Male Female On Remand Under 21 years 
		
		
			 1996 64 62 2 31 12 
			 1997 68 65 3 26 9 
			 1998 82 79 3 39 14 
			 1999 91 86 5 45 14 
			 2000 81 73 8 39 16

Parliamentary Questions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will answer the question tabled by the hon. Member for Yeovil on 20 July [ref. 373].

Beverley Hughes: I replied to the hon. Member on 24 October 2001, Official Report, column 288W.

Work Permits

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many work permits were issued under the fast track scheme for shortage occupations in the period since the introduction of this scheme; how many permits were issued for shortage occupations as a proportion of the total; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: The number of work permits issued for Tier 1 applications can only be given from 1 October 1999 which are 120,750 of which 65,002 are shortage occupations. The shortage skills occupation category was first introduced into the work permit arrangements in February 1990. The number of work permits issued for shortage occupations since that date are not available as the way in which work permit management information is collected was changed on 1 October 1999.

Work Permits

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many work permits were issued to IT professionals in (a) the last year and (b) in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: The number of work permits which were issued to Information Technology professionals in the last year, from 1 October 2000 until 30 September 2001 was 28,191. The number of work permits issued in the period 1 September to 30 September 2001, which is the latest period available is 1,477.

Work Permits

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many work permits were issued in the last 12 months to immigrants from India and Pakistan seeking employment in the IT industry.

Angela Eagle: The number of work permits approved in the last 12 months for Indian nationals seeking employment in the Information Technology (IT) industry was 16,575. The number approved for nationals from Pakistan seeking employment in the IT industry was 342.

Home Detention Curfew Scheme

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for the period between the commencement of the home detention curfew scheme on 28 January 1999 and 30 September 2001, what are (a) the total number of prisoners released on the scheme, (b) the number of prisoners convicted of each specific offence who were released on the scheme, with a breakdown of the offences committed, including the specific offences committed by prisoners normally classified under the categories (i) other homicide and attempted homicide, (ii) other violence against the person, (iii) drug offences, (iv) assaults and (v) other offences, including a breakdown of the prisoners normally classified in the sub-category of other offences called other offences, (c) the average sentence (1) received and (2) served, and the average period spent on the scheme, in respect of each specific offence, (d) the number of prisoners released on the scheme, with a breakdown of the offences committed, who (A) breached the conditions of the curfew, (B) disappeared and were recaptured, (C) disappeared and remain unlawfully at large and (D) had their licences revoked, and for what reasons, (e) a breakdown of the specific offences committed by prisoners released on the scheme while on the scheme, including all offences committed by prisoners who committed more than one offence and (f) a breakdown of the specific offences committed by prisoners released on the scheme who committed a further offence while on the scheme that was similar in character to that for which they were originally convicted, including all offences committed by prisoners who committed more than one offence; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Asylum Seekers

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to permit asylum seekers to take paid employment; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: We do not presently envisage any changes to the operation of the employment concession for asylum seekers. Under the terms of the employment concession adult asylum seekers can apply for permission to work if their application has been outstanding for longer than six months without a decision being made on it.

Asylum Seekers

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the cost per week of detaining an asylum seeker (a) in prison and (b) in a closed reception centre; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: (a) The weekly cost of detaining an immigration detainee in prison is set out in the table.
	
		
			 Location Cost per place Cost per prisoner 
		
		
			 Male locals 495 455 
			 Haslar 323 360 
		
	
	These data are derived from the annual report for that year. We do not publish figures for cost per week so the above data have been derived by dividing the annual outturn by 52 weeks.
	(b) The current weekly unit cost of housing an asylum seeker at Oakington, the only closed reception centre currently operating and based on an average occupancy of 170 in September, is estimated at £1,620. This is a higher figure than quoted in earlier replies but the unit cost is subject to variation because of changes in occupancy and, during September, this was significantly lower than during any of the previous six months. This was as a result of the contingency arrangements required in the light of legal proceedings on the legality of detaining asylum seekers at Oakington.
	The weekly costs quoted are not comparable as they compare an average cost for a prison with the specific costs of a unit designed to take quick asylum casework decisions. Oakington was set up to fast track asylum applications and this has resulted in significant savings in the time taken to process applications and therefore in asylum seekers support costs, which offset operating costs.

Asylum Seekers

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the organisations involved in asylum seeker support and advice who have expressed to him their views on the voucher scheme; what proportion of them opposed it; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: We have undertaken to place a list of the organisations that contributed to the review in the Library of the House, together with copies of their responses. A summary of the responses will be published in the review report.

Asylum Seekers

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the level of support to asylum seekers including dependants, increased in the year 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) is only responsible for setting the support levels for the asylum seekers it is supporting directly. NASS has not increased its levels of support in 2001. Individual local authorities are responsible for setting the level of support paid to asylum seekers supported under the interim scheme and there is no central record of the amounts paid. But the grant paid by the Home Office is subject to unit cost limits.
	Some asylum seekers remain eligible for support under the income support arrangements. It is understood that the rates for adults and children were increased in April and that there was a further increase in the income support rate for children yesterday. In most cases, asylum seekers in receipt of income support will also get their full housing costs paid through housing benefit.
	My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary intends to make a statement on the voucher review before the end of the month.

Asylum Seekers

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of every £10 allocated for vouchers to asylum seekers is spent on administering the support arrangements; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: Of the total amount spent by the Home Office on supporting destitute asylum seekers just over 3 per cent. can be identified as administration costs. This includes grants to the voluntary sector for the provision of services associated with the current support arrangements.

Asylum Seekers

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers and dependants whose applications have not been determined have been detained in custody for (a) over 25 days, (b) over 50 days, and (c) over 100 days; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: The latest published information on the number of asylum seekers detained under Immigration Act powers relates to 30 June 2001. Information on the length of detention of persons detained as at this date is given in the table.
	
		Detained asylum seekers as at 30 June 2001
		
			 Length of detention(3) Number(4) 
		
		
			 More than 25 days 850 
			 of which:  
			 more than 50 days 640 
			 more than 100 days 365 
		
	
	(3) Relates to current period of detention; where persons have been transferred to and subsequently from the Oakington Reception Centre, the time in detention prior to Oakington is excluded.
	(4) Figures rounded to the nearest five, and exclude persons detained in police cells and the Oakington Reception Centre. Figures include 100 persons who are recorded as being detained under dual immigration and other powers.
	Information on the stage of application of detained asylum seekers is not available except by examining individual case files at disproportionate cost, so it is not possible to determine how many of these persons were awaiting an initial decision on their asylum claim on 30 June 2001.

Asylum Seekers

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers and dependants were held in detention on the last day of each of the last 12 months; and what proportion of these were detained in prison.

Angela Eagle: As at 30 June 2001, 1,515 persons (to the nearest five) who are recorded as having claimed asylum at some point were being held in detention under Immigration Act powers. Of these, 880 (58 per cent.) were held in prison service establishments, which includes 400 persons detained in the dedicated Immigration Service wings at Haslar, Lindholme and Rochester, and 135 persons detained under dual immigration and other powers. Information on the number of asylum seekers held in immigration detention is not available prior to 30 June 2001. More recent information is not currently available.

Asylum Seekers

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) asylum appeals have (i) taken place and (ii) have failed and (b) failed asylum seekers, excluding dependants, were removed in (A) 1998, (B) 1999, (C) 2000 and (D) 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: The information requested is given in the table. The information on appeals relates to first appeals only (excluding appeals to the Tribunal, or a higher court). Appeal outcomes and removals in any given time-period do not necessarily relate to one another.
	
		
			   Asylum appeals  
			   Determined by IAA(5) Of which dismissed(6) Removals 
		
		
			 1998 25,320 21,195 6,990 
			 1999 19,460 11,135 (7)7,665 
			 2000 19,395 15,580 (7),(8)8,980 
			 2001 January-July (8)23,760 19,470(8) (7),(8),(9)4,170 
		
	
	(5) Provisional figures rounded to the nearest 5.
	(6) Immigration Appellate Authority.
	(7) Estimates based on Presenting Officer's Unit data.
	(8) Includes persons returned under the Voluntary Assisted Returns Programme.
	(9) Covers the period January to June only. Excludes dependants.

Asylum Seekers

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to abolish the voucher scheme for asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: We are reviewing the operation of the voucher scheme. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary intends to make a full statement on immigration and asylum policy later this month. The outcome of the voucher and dispersal reviews will be announced at the same time.

Asylum Seekers

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) women, (b) children under 14 and (c) children aged between 14 and 18 asylum seekers and relatives of asylum seekers are detained (i) in prison and (ii) in closed reception centres; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: The latest published information on the number of asylum seekers detained under Immigration Act powers relates to 30 June 2001. As at that date, 25 females (to the nearest five) who are recorded as having sought asylum at some point were being held in immigration detention centres, and 10 females were being held in prison service establishments, most of whom were being held under dual Immigration Act and other powers. Information on the age of detainees is not available except by examining individual case files at disproportionate cost, so it is not possible to determine the number of children detained. The requested information is not available for the Oakington Reception Centre.

HM Prisons

Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the availability of (a) work and (b) courses in building trades in HM prisons.

Beverley Hughes: Around 800 prisoners at any time are employed by prison works departments on minor maintenance work in establishments. Around 1,100 prisoners at any time are engaged in construction industry training courses across 69 establishments running 134 courses. These cover painting and decorating, bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing and other building trades. The Prison Service is seeking through this and other work and training activity to increase the proportion of prisoners able to gain employment on release.

Drugs Policy

Jon Owen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends to review (a) the targets and (b) the policy on drugs relating to 16 to 24-year-olds.

Bob Ainsworth: We are currently reviewing progress against all the Drugs Strategy targets as part of the work for the 2002 Spending Review, to ensure that we still have the right balance and focus. This supports the hard work already done by Keith Hellawell. As the Home Secretary indicated in his evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee on 23 October 2001, he is also seeking advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs on their assessment for reclassifying cannabis from Class B to Class C, proposing an innovative public awareness campaign on drugs aimed at young people, providing £1 million as a starter fund for a pilot project to help police target regional drug traffickers with a view to a national roll-out of the scheme, proposing the roll-out of drug testing programmes, and a series of measures, in partnership with the Department of Health, to minimise the harm drugs cause.
	Addressing substance misuse among 16 to 24-year-olds is a key priority in delivering the Strategy. We are developing our policy and approach in a number of areas, such as in improving the planning and co-ordination of the delivery of services for young people through "Young People's Substance Misuse Plans". These will help integrate the work of the Drug Action Teams, responsible at local level for delivering education, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation measures, with other children's services. We will shortly be launching a consultation exercise on ways of supporting effective joint working at local level.

Family Visits

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) oral and (b) written appeals concerning family visits to the UK were disposed of in each of the last 12 months; what proportion were successful; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Wills: I have been asked to reply.
	The number of family visit visa appeals disposed of by Adjudicators in each of the last 12 months and the proportion successful is set out in the table.
	
		
			  Oral appeal disposals (number) Proportion successful (percentage) Written appeal disposals (number) Proportion successful (percentage) 
		
		
			 2000 
			 October 0 n/a 0 n/a 
			 November 0 n/a 22 45 
			 December 7 57 45 18 
			 2001 
			 January 9 56 93 49 
			 February 12 92 57 30 
			 March 71 59 138 25 
			 April 70 69 131 44 
			 May 96 70 161 39 
			 June 148 67 263 33 
			 July 297 75 214 45 
			 August 239 77 350 41 
			 September 228 68 240 36

WORK AND PENSIONS

Combined Pension Service

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reason the roll-out of the combined pension statement has been delayed.

Ian McCartney: Roll-out of the new combined pension forecasting service, which is a joint initiative between the Department and the pensions industry, began, as planned, from October 2001.

Departmental Spending (Deprived Areas)

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much of the expenditure by her Department in each of the years (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99, (d) 1999–2000, (e) 2000–01, (f) 2001–02 and (g) 2002–03 (estimated) was allocated with reference to the Index of Multiple Deprivation; which expenditure programmes are allocated with respect to this index and other measures of relative geographic deprivation; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Brown: None. Expenditure on the benefit programme is determined by the number of benefit claimants who satisfy the qualifying conditions that apply to a particular benefit. Similarly, the employment programmes offer help to all people seeking work providing they meet any criteria for entry to a particular programme. Certain employment programmes—Action Teams and Employment Zones—are designed to support people in disadvantaged areas, but expenditure on these is not allocated with specific reference to the Index of Multiple Deprivation.

Jobcentre Plus Interviews

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the process for (a) deferments, (b) exemptions and (c) waivers, set out in the Social Security (Jobcentre Plus Interviews) Regulations 2001;
	(2)  when he will issue written guidance to offices on the Social Security (Jobcentre Plus Interviews) Regulations 2001; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

Nick Brown: Information on the process for deferrals, waivers and exemptions is set out in the guidance for Jobcentre Plus staff which was sent to offices on 10 September 2001. A copy has been placed in the Library.

Civil Servants (Retirement Age)

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the compulsory retirement ages which apply to employees of his Department and of executive agencies and other public sector bodies for which it is responsible, broken down by grade or job title.

Nick Brown: Information on the normal retirement age and on compulsory early retirement or severance for my Department and for the executive agencies and public sector bodies for which it is responsible is as follows:
	All staff outside the Senior Civil Service are able to elect to remain in employment beyond the minimum retirement age of 60 for any period of time up to 65, at which age staff must retire. Under the Civil Service management code, Senior Civil Servants are required to retire at 60.
	Staff may also be retired on compulsory early retirement or severance terms on grounds of structure, and on compulsory early retirement terms on grounds of limited efficiency. In addition, as a pre-redundancy measure, volunteers can be sought to leave on compulsory terms to avoid compulsory redundancies. Early retirement applies to staff aged 50 and over; early severance applies to staff aged under 50.

London Weighting

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the total value of London weightings and London living allowances for his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Brown: The total value of London weightings and London living allowances for the Department for Work and Pensions is £49,737,543.
	London weightings and London allowances account for 2 per cent. of the Department's total wage bill. London staff represent 12 per cent. of the total staff in the Department.
	These figures are correct as at 31 August 2001.

Refurbishment Projects

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what (a) building and (b) refurbishment projects are planned by his Department in (i) the current and (ii) the next financial year; and what the costs will be of each project.

Nick Brown: Details of building and refurbishment projects that will be completed within this financial year and the next are given in the tables. Information is provided only in respect of projects costing £1 million or over in total. No building or refurbishment projects have so far been approved to commence in the next financial year.
	
		Building projects—expenditure
		
			 £ million  
			 Description Site  2001–02  2002–03 Total cost 
		
		
			 Extension on existing site for the Pension Service. Tyneview Park, Newcastle n/a n/a (10)10.0 
			  
			 Adaptation of three buildings for the Pension Service to accommodate circa 500 staff in each building. Dundee 4.09 0.05 4.14 
			  Simonstone, Burnley 1.96 0.02 1.98 
			  Swansea 1.98 0.02 2.00 
			  
			 Provision of new, and reconstruction of existing, portacabins to accommodate staff on modernisation projects. Lytham St. Annes 2.5 — 2.5 
			  
			 Construction project (new build) to provide Pathfinder Office for JobCentre Plus. Birmingham South West 3.0 — 3.0 
			  
			 Reconstruction of a commercial premises to re-house staff in support of the Government's modernisation programme in Sheffield. Sheffield 0.135 3.99 4.125 
		
	
	(10) The equivalent cost for Tyneview Park is given as this is part of an Inland Revenue-led PFI project and hence no capital cost is involved.
	
		Refurbishment projects—expenditure 2001–02
		
			   £ million  
			 Description Site (11)Total 
		
		
			 Renovation and refurbishment of existing DWP office buildings to provide new Pathfinder Offices for JobCentre Plus. Aberdeen 1.33 
			  Blackburn 2.663 
			  Greenock 2.091 
			  Harlesden 1.79 
			  Kilburn 1.31 
			  Neasden 1.69 
			  Port Glasgow 1.47 
			  Southend 1.39 
			  Streatham 1.515 
			  Wallasey 2.404 
			  Wembley 1.25 
			
			 Renovation and refurbishment of existing DWP accommodation (in three buildings) to house staff to administer Carers Allowance for over 60s. Preston Office Centre 1.0 
		
	
	(11) All refurbishment projects to be delivered this financial year.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Parliamentary Questions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will answer the question tabled by the hon. Member for Yeovil on 20 July [ref. 428].

Jane Kennedy: I answered these questions today.

Private Finance Initiative

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  how many PFI transactions have been overseen by his Department in each of the last 10 years; what his estimate is of the cost savings made in each of these transactions in comparison with the public sector alternative; what are the outstanding payments to be made in relation to these transactions for each of the next 15 years; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will list the economic penalties imposed on private sector firms in each of the last five years for failures to deliver in relation to key performance indicators in projects involving the private finance initiative; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The NIO has had no involvement with PFI projects over the last 10 years.

HEALTH

Spinal Injuries

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the spinal injuries units in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 15 October 2001
	There are eight units in England as follows:
	Middlesbrough: South Cleveland Hospital
	Oswestry: Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital
	Salisbury: Odstock Hospital
	Sheffield: Northern General Hospital
	Southport: Southport and Formby General Hospital
	Stanmore: Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
	Stoke Mandeville: Stoke Mandeville Hospital.
	On 28 February 2001 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced that a National Service Framework would be developed for long term conditions, and that this would have a particular focus on the needs of people with neurological disease and brain and spinal injury.
	Issues relating to Wales are matters for the devolved Assembly.

Maternity Services

Julia Drown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when information will be provided on the criteria and deadline for applications to the maternity services capital fund; if funds from the fund can be used to create midwifery-led birth centres in existing maternity centres; and if funding will be approved for the creation of (a) stand-alone birth centres and (b) birth centres within a community and cottage hospital.

Hazel Blears: Letters inviting applications for the maternity service capital funds, including the criteria, were issued to the regions on 11 July 2001, copies of which have been placed in the Library. The funding allocations for each unit were announced on 11 October 2001.
	This capital investment of £100 million is to modernise and upgrade facilities in maternity units to improve the environment in which care is provided and not primarily for the redesigning of maternity services. Each existing maternity unit and/or trust decided their own priorities for using the capital fund after consultation with local health communities, staff and service users.
	The National Health Service provides a variety of types of care for women during pregnancy and childbirth including care in midwife-led birth. We expect this variety to continue and it is important that decisions about service provision are made at a local level.

Herceptin

Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps the Government are taking to speed up the assessment periods for Herceptin; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the Government's policy is on the priority to be given to clinical assessment of Herceptin; and what assessment he has made of the reasons for the time taken for the clinical assessment of (a) Herceptin and (b) Viagra.

Hazel Blears: The assessment report for the appraisal on Herceptin was extended following consultation in order to consider additional clinical data. While it is regrettable that the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's guidance should be delayed, it is in the interests of all concerned that NICE's authoritative guidance should be soundly based and fair.
	NICE's appraisal committee will meet again on 25 October 2001 and, if there are no appeals, guidance is expected in December 2001.
	Viagra has not been referred to NICE for appraisal as regulations regarding the availability of Viagra and other specified drug treatments for impotence have been in place since July 1999.

MRSA

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what chemical agents are being used within the NHS to combat MRSA.

John Hutton: The following chemical agents that are active against methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus are currently in use in the national health service:
	
		
			 Chemical agent Composition/ingredients 
		
		
			 All purpose cleaner/sanitiser for hard surface cleaning five litre: Brand D10 2-Aminoethanol (OES) 
			  Nonionic surfactant 
			  Cationic surfactant 
			 Surface sanitiser for hard surfaces 3 per cent. available chlorine 10 kilogramme: Brand D4BX Chlorinated trisodium phosphate 
			 Powder surface sanitiser 2 per cent. available chlorine 500 gram: Brand Titan Sodium silicate 
			 Sanitiser Anionic surfactant 
			  Sodium dichlorolsocyanurate dihydrate 
			 Detergent liquid general purpose neutral 5 litre: Brand Hospec Aqueous solution of anionic/nonionic surfactants, salts and preservatives 
		
	
	Although the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency has national contracts for the items listed, individual NHS trusts may buy other products containing agents that combat MRSA.

MRSA

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients in each health authority contracted MRSA in each of the years 1995 to 2000.

John Hutton: holding answer 24 October 2001
	Aggregate data on numbers of incidents of methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) voluntarily submitted by national health service trusts for specialist microbiological tests since 1995 are shown in the table. These data are routinely available on a regional basis only. Data on staphylococcus aureus bacteraemias (blood infections) showing the proportion resistant to methicillin in England and Wales are published quarterly by the Public Health Laboratory Service in the Communicable Disease Report. Copies of these are available in the Library. More comprehensive information about bacteraemias, including MRSA, has been collected from all acute trusts since 1 April 2001 and these data will be published from 1 April 2002.
	
		Incidents of MRSA: 1995–98
		
			   1995 1996 1997 1998 
		
		
			 Anglia and Oxford 142 237 297 223 
			 North Thames 566 539 544 289 
			 North West 65 176 259 215 
			 Northern and Yorkshire 90 150 224 202 
			 South and West 80 206 254 101 
			 South Thames 377 421 385 220 
			 Trent 52 99 123 109 
			 West Midlands 128 121 102 69 
			 Wales 116 158 176 169 
			  
			 Total 1,616 2,107 2,364 1,597 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Population estimates are mid-year estimates based on 1991 census data.
	2. For 1995 and 1996 and the first half of 1997 data have been amalgamated to the approximate boundaries of the new regional office areas. This allows for comparison with subsequent years.
	
		Incidents of MRSA: 1999–2000
		
			  1999 2000 
		
		
			 Eastern 80 60 
			 London 290 170 
			 Northern and Yorkshire 170 70 
			 North West 180 90 
			 South East 170 100 
			 South West 40 10 
			 Trent 100 30 
			 West Midlands 30 50 
			 Wales 130 40 
			  
			 Total 1,190 620 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Data for 2000 are complete.
	2. An incident is three or more patients infected or colonised by the same strain of MRSA in the same month from the same hospital.
	3. The criteria for submission of isolates of MRSA (and other isolates of staphylococcus aureus) to the Public Health Laboratory Service for specialist tests have been revised twice since 1996 (in January 1998 and in January 2000).
	4. These revised criteria have led to a fall in the number of incidents of MRSA that were reported to the PHLS.

Job Vacancies

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish figures giving job vacancy percentages by health authority for (a) radiographers, (b) radiation physicists and (c) radiography technicians.

John Hutton: Figures for diagnostic and therapeutic radiographer vacancies are in the tables. The Department does not collect vacancy information for radiation physicists or radiography technicians.
	
		Department of Health vacancies survey, March 2001 vacancies in NHS trusts by region and health authority areas(12), radiographer three month vacancy rates(13),(14) and staff in post
		
			   Staff in post (wte) Three month vacancy rates (Percentage)  
			  Diagnostic radiographers Therapeutic radiographers Diagnostic radiographers Therapeutic radiographers 
		
		
			 England total 9,165 1,309 4.4 8.0 
			  
			 Northern and Yorkshire 1,323 154 2.5 10.4 
			 Bradford HA 114 (15)— 0.0 n/a 
			 Calderdale and Kirklees HA 102 (15)— 0.0 n/a 
			 County Durham and Darlington HA 80 (15)— 0.0 n/a 
			 East Riding and Hull HA 94 14 5.0 27.0 
			 Gateshead and South Tyneside HA 68 (15)— 1.5 n/a 
			 Leeds HA 273 56 3.5 18.2 
			 Newcastle and North Tyneside HA 119 44 1.2 1.1 
			 North Cumbria HA 51 8 6.6 0.0 
			 North Yorkshire HA 123 1 3.1 0.0 
			 Northumberland HA 48 (15)— 0.6 n/a 
			 Sunderland HA 56 (15)— 3.4 n/a 
			 Tees HA 134 32 1.5 0.0 
			 Wakefield HA 60 (15)— 7.6 n/a 
			  
			 Trent 816 154 2.5 1.9 
			 Barnsley HA 32 (15)— 0.0 n/a 
			 Doncaster HA 55 (15)— 0.0 n/a 
			 Leicestershire HA 127 23 0.0 4.3 
			 Lincolnshire HA 96 31 0.0 0.0 
			 North Derbyshire HA 31 7 0.0 0.0 
			 North Nottinghamshire HA 57 (15)— 1.4 n/a 
			 Nottingham HA 131 29 5.1 0.0 
			 Rotherham HA 36 (15)— 0.0 n/a 
			 Sheffield HA 124 35 0.0 0.0 
			 South Humber HA 49 7 9.3 0.0 
			 Southern Derbyshire HA 78 23 9.3 8.1 
			  
			 West Midlands 912 84 5.5 15.1 
			 Birmingham HA 261 32 7.3 15.9 
			 Coventry HA 88 13 12.1 13.7 
			 Dudley HA 53 (15)— 1.9 n/a 
			 Herefordshire HA 24 (15)— 0.0 n/a 
			 North Staffordshire HA 93 13 2.1 0.0 
			 Sandwell HA 28 (15)— 0.0 n/a 
			 Shropshire HA 79 11 2.7 8.6 
			 Solihull HA (15)— (15)— n/a n/a 
			 South Staffordshire HA 77 (15)— 4.0 n/a 
			 Walsall HA 38 (15)— 9.9 n/a 
			 Warwickshire HA 53 (15)— 0.0 n/a 
			 Wolverhampton HA 45 17 5.7 26.2 
			 Worcestershire HA 73 (15)— 6.4 n/a 
			  
			 North West 1,481 150 3.8 3.8 
			 Bury and Rochdale HA 45 9 0.0 0.0 
			 East Lancashire HA 98 (15)— 8.4 n/a 
			 Liverpool HA 149 (15)— 5.2 n/a 
			 Manchester HA 203 53 5.7 10.1 
			 Morecambe Bay HA 69 (15)— 0.0 n/a 
			 North Cheshire HA 72 (15)— 8.3 n/a 
			 North West Lancashire HA 132 27 0.0 0.0 
			 Salford and Trafford HA 94 (15)— 5.6 n/a 
			 Sefton HA 110 1 4.2 0.0 
			 South Cheshire HA 103 (15)— 0.0 n/a 
			 South Lancashire HA 28 (15)— 0.0 n/a 
			 St. Helens and Knowsley HA 53 (15)— 10.2 n/a 
			 Stockport HA 43 (15)— 7.7 n/a 
			 West Pennine HA 78 (15)— 0.0 n/a 
			 Wigan and Bolton HA 108 (15)— 0.0 n/a 
			 Wirral HA 97 60 3.0 0.0 
			 Eastern 876 137 4.1 6.8 
			 Bedfordshire HA 97 (15)— 5.8 n/a 
			 Cambridgeshire HA 170 41 0.6 10.9 
			 East and North Hertfordshire HA 54 1 15.0 0.0 
			 Norfolk HA 152 29 3.2 0.0 
			 North Essex HA 120 20 2.4 0.0 
			 South Essex HA 100 (15)— 6.5 n/a 
			 Suffolk HA 95 14 0.0 0.0 
			 West Hertfordshire HA 88 32 8.5 8.5 
			 London 1,535 246 7.1 9.1 
			 Barking and Havering HA 57 16 5.0 10.9 
			 Barnet HA 64 (15)— 14.2 n/a 
			 Bexley and Greenwich HA 62 (15)— 6.1 n/a 
			 Brent and Harrow HA 90 2 3.2 0.0 
			 Bromley HA 30 (15)— 6.2 n/a 
			 Camden and Islington HA 246 43 5.4 4.4 
			 Croydon HA 30 (15)— 0.0 n/a 
			 Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow HA 117 32 11.3 25.4 
			 East London and The City HA 155 34 6.0 0.0 
			 Enfield and Haringey HA 40 17 4.8 0.0 
			 Hillingdon HA 37 (15)— 7.5 n/a 
			 Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster HA 151 55 7.9 13.4 
			 Kingston and Richmond HA 48 (15)— 0.7 n/a 
			 Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham HA 206 41 1.9 2.4 
			 Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth HA 146 (15)— 15.6 0.0 
			 Redbridge and Waltham Forest HA 56 5 11.1 0.0 
			 
			 South East 1,300 214 5.1 13.1 
			 Berkshire HA 111 17 3.5 5.5 
			 Buckinghamshire HA 94 (15)— 2.1 n/a 
			 East Kent HA 99 1 4.5 0.0 
			 East Surrey HA 43 (15)— 22.0 n/a 
			 East Sussex, Brighton and Hove HA 130 13 4.4 19.2 
			 Isle of Wight HA 19 (15)— 15.9 n/a 
			 North and Mid Hampshire HA 58 (15)— 0.9 n/a 
			 Northamptonshire HA 76 23 0.0 0.0 
			 Oxfordshire HA 126 27 11.5 25.5 
			 Portsmouth and South East Hampshire HA 78 29 0.0 6.5 
			 Southampton and South West Hampshire HA 112 30 3.5 21.1 
			 West Kent HA 137 40 6.8 6.9 
			 West Surrey HA 128 35 0.8 2.8 
			 West Sussex HA 90 (15)— 5.5 n/a 
			  
			 South West 921 170 3.0 2.9 
			 Avon HA 265 54 5.1 6.8 
			 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly HA 86 7 2.3 0.0 
			 Dorset HA 145 26 0.0 0.0 
			 Gloucestershire HA 97 28 0.0 0.0 
			 North East and Devon HA 71 23 0.0 0.0 
			 Somerset HA 69 1 2.8 0.0 
			 South and West Devon HA 119 31 4.0 3.4 
			 Wiltshire HA 69 (15)— 6.7 n/a 
			 Special health authorities 1 (15)— 0.0 n/a 
		
	
	(12) Health authorities figures are based on trusts, and do not necessarily reflect the geographical provision of healthcare
	(13) Three month vacancies are vacancies as at 31 March 2001 which trusts are actively trying to fill, which had lasted for three months or more (whole time equivalents)
	(14) Three month vacancy rates are three month vacancies expressed as a percentage of three month vacancies plus staff in post from the non-medical workforce census (whole time equivalent)
	(15) Trust does not employ these staff
	Notes:
	1. Percentages rounded to one decimal place
	2. Numbers rounded to the nearest whole number
	Source:
	Department of Health Vacancies Survey 2001
	Non-Medical Workforce Census, September 2000
	Department of Health Vacancies Survey, March 2001
	Vacancies in NHS trusts by region and Radiographers
	
		
			  wte wte Percentages  
			  Staff in post Number of three month vacancies Three month vacancy rates  
			  Diagnostic radiographers Therapeutic radiographers Diagnostic radiographers Therapeutic radiographers Diagnostic radiographers Therapeutic radiographers 
		
		
			 England total 9,170 1,310 420 110 4.4 8.0 
			
			 Northern and Yorkshire 1,323 154 30 20 2.5 10.4 
			 Trent 816 154 20 0 2.5 1.9 
			 West Midlands 912 84 50 20 5.5 15.1 
			 North West 1,481 150 60 10 3.8 3.8 
			 Eastern 876 137 40 10 4.1 6.8 
			 London 1,535 246 120 20 7.1 9.1 
			 South East 1,300 214 70 30 5.1 13.1 
			 South West 921 170 30 10 3.0 2.9 
			
			 Special health authorities 1 (16)— 0 0 0.0 n/a 
		
	
	(16) Means no staff
	Notes:
	1. Three month vacancies are vacancies as at 31 March 2001 which trusts are actively trying to fill, which had lasted for three months or more (whole time equivalents)
	2. Three month vacancy rates are three month vacancies expressed as a percentage of three month vacancies plus staff in post from the September 2000 medical and dental and non-medical workforce census (whole time equivalent)
	3. Health authority figures are based on trusts, and do not necessarily reflect the geographical provision of healthcare
	4. Percentages rounded to one decimal place
	5. Numbers rounded to the nearest 10 for three month vacancies and to the nearest one for staff in post

Bed Blocking

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures will be taken under the cash for change initiative to reduce bed blocking.

Jacqui Smith: Local authorities will receive funding allocations through a special grant under Section 93 of the Local Government Act 2000. The grant is to be used to enable local authority community care services to work with national health service partners to significantly reduce the number of people who are ready to leave hospital but are unable to do so. Local authorities will achieve this by increasing the availability of care home places and support services which enable people to return to their own home.

Prescriptions

Colin Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will allow people on Incapacity Benefit to receive free prescriptions;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the extent of non-use of prescriptions by citizens on Incapacity Benefit who cannot afford the charges.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 23 October 2001
	No. Incapacity Benefit is not income related and it would not, therefore, be appropriate to extend automatic exemption from prescription charges to recipients of this benefit. No assessment has been made of the extent to which people on Incapacity Benefit do not make use of prescriptions. People on low income who are not otherwise exempt from charges, can apply for free prescriptions under the national health service low income scheme.

Feng Shui

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been spent employing feng shui experts in his Department in the last 12 months.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 24 October 2001
	The Department has not employed any feng shui experts and has not expended any money on this service within the last 12 months.

Hospital Beds

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average daily number of available beds, in wards open 24 hours, for (a) short stay and (b) long stay patients in each year since 1995–96.

John Hutton: The information is not collected centrally in the format requested.
	Bed data including average bed availability rates are available in the annual publication "Bed availability and occupancy—England: Each Financial Year to 1999–2000", copies of which are available in the Library. Alternatively information can be downloaded from the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/hospitalactivity.

Restaurant Food

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the nutritional value of restaurant food.

Hazel Blears: I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that they have an on-going programme to determine the nutrient content of a wide range of foods on a regular basis. Analytical surveys in 1994 and 1997 included foods and meals sampled from takeaway outlets or restaurants. There are plans to update this work soon.
	This obviously is subject to the qualification that there will be significant variation in the nutritional balance between individual restaurants and individual restaurants' meals.
	From a nutritional point of view, the composition of individual foods is less important than the nutrient content and overall balance of the diet as a whole. A varied and balanced diet, which includes plenty of fruit, vegetables and starchy foods, should provide all of the nutrients that a healthy individual requires.

Departmental Spending (Deprived Areas)

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much of the expenditure by his Department in each of the years (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99, (d) 1999–2000, (e) 2000–01, (f) 2001–02 and (g) 2002–03 (estimated) was allocated with reference to the index of multiple deprivation; which expenditure programmes are allocated with respect to this index and other measures of relative geographic deprivation; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: No national health service resources are allocated using the index of multiple deprivation. The weighted capitation formula used to inform revenue allocations to health authorities includes a number of health and socio-economic variables. These are listed in "Resource Allocation: Weighted Capitation Formulas", copies of which are available in the Library.
	No personal social services resources are allocated using the index. The personal social services standard spending assessment formulas, which are used to allocate most of personal social services resources, include a number of socio-economic variables. These are listed on the following web site: http://www.local.dtlr.gov.uk/ finance/ssa/0102/lgfr/index.htm.

Parliamentary Questions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will answer the question tabled by the hon. Member for Yeovil on 20 July [ref 296].

John Hutton: I wrote to the hon. Member on 21 August.

Residential Care (Wales)

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase funding to the National Assembly for Wales for residential care in Wales.

Don Touhig: I have been asked to reply.
	Allocation of funds from the Welsh block is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.
	The Assembly Minister for Health and Social Services, Jane Hutt, has recently announced that £8 million is to be provided to help health and social services authorities in Wales to meet immediate pressures this winter. Within that, up to £5 million will be made available for measures which are aimed at avoiding hospital admissions, supporting people in their own homes after discharge and helping local authorities in commissioning additional capacity in residential and nursing homes.

Child Protection

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children have been killed since 1 January 1995 during contact visits with violent parents in England and Wales; how many children have been killed since 1 January 1995 in circumstances where the parents had separated due to domestic violence and were disputing contact or residence in England and Wales; what the names and ages of each child killed were; and in how many of these cases contact or residence orders had been made by the courts.

Rosie Winterton: I have been asked to reply.
	Information about the number of child deaths during contact visits, where an application for contact or residence is outstanding or where a residence or contact order is in force, is not available. I am looking into what information we can collect in this area. The Government acknowledge the concerns about the safety of both children and the resident parent in cases where domestic violence is a known factor and, in addition to an interdepartmental working group, has set up a ministerial group to consider this matter fully.

WALES

London Weighting

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the total value of London weightings and London living allowances for his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Murphy: My Department does not pay a London weighting or living allowance. Staff permanently based in London are on different (higher) pay scales than those based elsewhere. Staff serving temporarily in London are reimbursed accommodation and travel costs and receive a 10 per cent. recruitment and retention allowance.

Civil Servants (Retirement Age)

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the compulsory retirement ages which apply to employees of his Department and of executive agencies and other public sector bodies for which it is responsible, broken down by grade or job title.

Paul Murphy: Civil servants working within my Department (who are all secondees from other Departments) would ordinarily retire at 60 if they were members of the Senior Civil Service (SCS) or between 60 and 65 years if they were at a grade below the SCS. I am responsible for no other agencies or bodies.

Refurbishment Projects

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what (a) building and (b) refurbishment projects are planned by his Department in (i) the current and (ii) the next financial year; and what the costs will be of each project.

Paul Murphy: Plans are not yet complete. However work in the current year will include the provision of disabled access and the completion of a programme of redecoration begun in 2000–01.

Refurbishment Projects

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the top 10 companies to which his Department contracted out their construction and refurbishment work in the last 12 months.

Paul Murphy: There has been no construction work in this period.
	Design and project management of refurbishment work has been provided through the National Assembly for Wales' contract with the managing agent Dalkia Energy and Technical Services Ltd. The actual work was carried out by Vale Building Services Ltd.

Special Advisers and Press Officers

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many (a) special advisers and (b) press officers were employed (i) full time, (ii) part time and (iii) on a contract basis by his Department in each year since 1992.

Paul Murphy: Information is not available in the detail requested. However, during the period from 1994 until June 1999, the former Welsh Office employed a maximum of two special advisers and between eight and nine press officers. Since its establishment on 1 July 1999, the Wales Office has employed two special advisers and three press officers, including my Press Secretary.

SCOTLAND

Boundary Commission

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the latest date by which the Boundary Commission for Scotland's recommendations for the boundaries of parliamentary constituencies in Scotland would have to be enacted by Order in Council in order to take effect for a Scottish parliamentary election in 2007.

Helen Liddell: This will depend on the nature of the recommendations in the Boundary Commission's report.

Boundary Commission

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement on the circumstances in which she would seek to make modifications under the terms of section 4 of the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 to the recommendations contained in the next report of the Boundary Commission for Scotland on the general review of the parliamentary constituencies in Scotland.

Helen Liddell: I will be able to consider whether modifications to the Boundary Commission's recommendations might be appropriate only once I have received and studied its report.

Boundary Commission

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she expects to receive from the Boundary Commission for Scotland their final report on the general review of parliamentary constituencies in Scotland.

Helen Liddell: The Boundary Commission for Scotland is required, by the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986, to submit its report to me between December 2002 and December 2006. It is a matter for the Commission when, within that time scale, it reports.

Boundary Commission

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the revised constituency and regional boundaries to be recommended by the Boundary Commission for Scotland by December 2006 will be used for the 2007 Scottish parliamentary elections.

Helen Liddell: This will depend on the date the Boundary Commission submits its report. It is not envisaged that changed boundary arrangements for the Scottish Parliament would be implemented before 2007.

Boundary Commission

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if it is her policy that (a) the boundaries of Scottish parliamentary constituencies should be coterminous with constituencies used to elect Scottish hon. Members of the House of Commons and (b) the ratio of constituency to regional members should remain as set out in the Scotland Act 1998.

Helen Liddell: The statutory position on the boundaries of Scottish parliamentary constituencies and the ratio of constituency to regional members is set out in Schedule 1 of the Scotland Act 1998.
	The Government have, however, made it clear that if a good case for changing the Scotland Act is made, in the light of experience in the Scottish Parliament, we will consider it.

Boundary Commission

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the parliamentary Boundary Commission for Scotland began its review of Scottish constituencies; when she expects to receive its report; and if she will make a statement.

Helen Liddell: The Boundary Commission for Scotland gave notice in the Edinburgh Gazette on 29 June 2001 of its intention to commence forthwith its general review of constituencies in Scotland.
	The Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 requires the Commission to submit its report to me not less than eight or more than 12 years from the date of its last report. Its next report is therefore due between December 2002 and December 2006. It is a matter for the Commission when, within that time scale, it reports.

Regional Television

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she plans to meet Scottish Television to discuss regional television coverage.

Helen Liddell: I have regular discussions with broadcasters in Scotland about a wide range of matters, including regional television coverage and the wider implications for Scotland of the forthcoming Communications Bill. I last met representatives from the Scottish Media Group on 23 August.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Government Art Collection

Tony Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her policy is in respect of disposals from the Government art collection.

Kim Howells: It is the general policy of the Government art collection (an Exchequer-funded national collection) to retain for posterity and to preserve to the best of its ability all items accepted into its core holdings. The Government art collection has a disposals policy which closely follows the ethical guidelines for disposals recommended by the Museums Association. A number of items purchased with specific funds or donated with specific conditions attached may not be disposed of at all.

Film Industry

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support the Government have given to the British film industry in (a) direct funding and (b) tax breaks in the last five years.

Kim Howells: The table gives details of Government funding for film. In addition to direct Government funding, the Film Council, Scottish Screen and the Arts Councils for Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland distribute lottery funding for film.
	
		£ million 
		
			 Grant receiving body 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			 Scottish Screen 1.8 2.0 1.8 — — 
			 Sgrîn 0.3 0.3 0.3 — — 
			 Northern Ireland Film Commission and other grants 0.3 0.7 0.8 1.1 — 
			 British Film Institute 16.5 16.0 15.1 16.91 — 
			 British Screen Finance 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 — 
			 British Film Commission 0.8 0.85 0.85 0.85 — 
			 European Co-Production Fund 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 — 
			 National Film and Television School 1.9 2.1 2.1 2.2 2.3 
			 Film Council — — — 0.5 21.8 
			  
			 Total 25.6 25.9 24.9 25.6 24.1 
		
	
	Notes:
	The Film Council became operational in April 2000. It now funds the British Film Institute from the grant-in-aid it receives from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The British Film Commission is now part of the Film Council. British Screen Finance and the European Co-Production Fund have been absorbed into the Film Council.
	Figures shown for Sgrîn, Scottish Screen and the Northern Ireland Film Commission are pre-devolution.
	The estimated tax cost of relief provided to British qualifying films under section 48 Finance (No. 2) Act 1997 is £200 million in the period 1997–98 to 2000–01. The additional estimated tax cost of relief provided to British qualifying films under section 42 Finance (No. 2) Act 1992 is £150 million in the period 1996–7 to 2000–01. Finally, the estimated tax cost of relief to other films produced in the UK under sections 40A to D of the Finance (No. 2) Act 1992 (formerly, section 68 Capital Allowances Act 1990) is £250 million over the same period. In total tax relief for films produced in the UK is around £600 million in the period 1996–7 to 2000–01.

Civil Servants

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many and what proportion of each Civil Service grade in her Department is located in each region and nation of the UK; what the average salary is for each grade; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The information regarding the number and proportion of staff in my Department, and the average salary of each grade is set out in the table.
	
		
			 Government Office region All grades SCS level Level 6/7 SEO/HEO level EO level AO/AA level Industrial/ other grades 
		
		
			  Number of staff by grade level and region (WTE)   
			 London 461 25 74 133 107 122 0 
			 South East 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 
			 South West 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 
			 West Midlands 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 
			 North West 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 
			 North East 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Merseyside 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Yorkshire & Humberside 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 
			 East Midlands 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 
			 Eastern 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 
			  
			 England total 471 25 82 133 107 124 0 
			 Wales 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Scotland 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 
			  
			 UK total 472 25 82 133 107 125 0 
			 Northern Ireland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			  
			 Grand total 472 25 82 133 107 125 0 
			 Average salary — 55,700 37,028 26,056 18,560 14,893 — 
			 
			  Percentage of staff by grade level and region   
			 London 97.7 100 90.2 100 100 97.6 0 
			 South East 0.2 0 1.2 0 0 0 0 
			 South West 0.2 0 1.2 0 0 0 0 
			 West Midlands 0.2 0 1.2 0 0 0 0 
			 North West 0.4 0 1.2 0 0 0.8 0 
			 North East 0.2 0 1.2 0 0 0 0 
			 Merseyside 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 0.2 0 1.2 0 0 0 0 
			 East Midlands 0.4 0 1.2 0 0 0.8 0 
			 Eastern 0.2 0 1.2 0 0 0 0 
			  
			 England total 99.8 100 100 100 100 99.2 0 
			 Wales 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Scotland 0.2 0 0 0 0 0.8 0 
			  
			 UK total 100 100 100 100 100 100 0 
			 Northern Ireland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			  
			 Grand total 100 100 100 100 100 100 0

Royal Palaces

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many flats in the royal palaces are occupied by persons other than the royal family.

Kim Howells: holding answer 23 October 2001
	There were 244 residences in the occupied royal palaces occupied by persons other than members of the royal family at 31 December 2000.

Theatre Visitor Numbers

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the impact on (a) London and (b) regional theatres of the fall in the number of visitors following the events of 11 September.

Kim Howells: It is too early to say how far the events of September 11 have affected attendance at theatres in London and the regions. The Arts Council of England, Regional Arts Boards and Society of London Theatres will continue to monitor the situation within both the commercial and subsidised sectors over the coming weeks and will keep me informed of all developments.

Royal Prerogative

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many ministerial decisions were made where authority for the same derived from the royal prerogative for the most recent calendar month for which information is available.

Kim Howells: The Department does not keep records of the individual occasions on which powers under the royal prerogative are exercised, nor could it be practicable to do so.

TV Quality Criteria

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what criteria relating to quality of programmes and schedules she applies to decisions on granting and renewing television broadcasting licences.

Kim Howells: Under the terms of the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996, the licensing of television services is a matter for the Independent Television Commission. Channel 3 and Channel 5 licensees had to pass a programme quality threshold before the Commission granted their licences. Channel 4's distinctive and innovative remit is incorporated in its licence. Cable and satellite television services are not subject to statutory programming requirements.

On-line Libraries

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many local authorities have put all of their public libraries on-line; and when the remaining libraries will be brought on-line.

Kim Howells: 79 local authorities offer public internet access in all their public libraries. By the end of December 2002 all will do so.

Sportsmatch

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much grant was allocated to Sportsmatch in each full financial year since the scheme was started.

Kim Howells: Sportsmatch received the grants shown in the table.
	
		
			   £ million 
		
		
			 1992–93 1.0 
			 1993–94 2.9 
			 1994–95 3.3 
			 1995–96 3.7 
			 1996–97 3.2 
			 1997–98 3.2 
			 1998–99 3.2 
			 1999–2000 3.37 
			 2000–01 3.37 
			 2001–02 3.55 
			 2002–03 3.55

Commercial Radio Licences

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will publish her policy on future commercial radio licences as they affect Torbay and South Devon.

Kim Howells: The award of commercial radio licences is a matter for the Radio Authority.

Lottery Funding (Scotland)

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what was (a) the total amount of Lottery awards, (b) their purpose and (c) the total value of Lottery awards per constituency in Scotland over the last year; and what was the total percentage of Lottery funding and value in Scotland compared with the other nations and regions within the United Kingdom.

Kim Howells: To date, National Lottery awards across the UK total £9.54 billion, shared between projects covering the Arts; Charities; Health; Education and Environment; Heritage; and Sport, plus those associated with celebrating the millennium. (A complete list is available on the DCMS website: www.culture.gov.uk.) The total value of Lottery awards per constituency in Scotland over the last year was £1.22 million. A comparison of Scottish Lottery funding with the other nations and regions within the United Kingdom is set out in the following table.
	
		The total percentage of lottery funding and value in Scotland as compared with the other nations and regions within the United Kingdom, over the last year(17)
		
			 Regions/country Amount awarded (£) Percentage of lottery funding 
		
		
			 East Midlands 51,569,533 5.89 
			 Eastern 44,273,651 5.06 
			 London 172,898,301 19.74 
			 North-East 45,541,175 5.20 
			 North-West 95,052,820 10.85 
			 Northern Ireland 36,023,995 4.11 
			 Scotland 88,066,669 10.06 
			 South-East 59,966,324 6.85 
			 South-West 56,865,218 6.49 
			 Wales 51,202,363 5.85 
			 West Midlands 58,538,348 6.68 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 59,701,202 6.82 
			 n/a 56,011,231 6.40 
			   
			 Total 875,710,830  
		
	
	(17) Covering the period 1 October 2000 to 30 September 2001

TV Licences (Scotland)

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what income the BBC raised in the last 12 months from licence payers in Scotland; and how much of this is spent on the production and broadcasting of television and radio programmes in Scotland.

Kim Howells: The BBC income and budgets are calculated for the financial year. In the financial year 2000–01, the total licence fee income from television licence fee payers in Scotland, minus approximately £10 million collection costs, was £195 million.
	BBC Scotland's budget income for the same period breaks down as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 Specific television and radio services for Scotland 68.1 
			 Scottish productions for network TV 35.1 
			 Scottish productions for network Radio 3.4 
			 Co-production/Gaelic Broadcasting Funds 13.8 
			  
			 Total 120.4 
		
	
	The projected budget for BBC Scotland in 2001–02 is £140 million, and in 2002–02 is £160 million.
	Scotland also benefits, of course, from the programming which the BBC provides across the UK as a whole.
	The costs of transmitter operations, which are paid for centrally by the BBC, are not included. The budgets for independent production companies commissioned by network television and radio on behalf of BBC Scotland are included, but the costs of independent companies commissioned by the networks for their own productions are not included.

Departmental Staff

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will estimate the number of staff employed by her Department by region and nation of the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: I refer the hon. Member to the replies given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 15 October 2001, Official Report, columns 1008–12W.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Departmental Spending (Deprived Areas)

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much of the expenditure by her Department in each of the years (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99, (d) 1999–2000, (e) 2000–01, (f) 2001–02 and (g) 2002–03 (estimated) was allocated with reference to the Index of Multiple Deprivation; which expenditure programmes are allocated with respect to this Index and other measures of relative geographic deprivation; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: No departmental funding has previously been allocated on this basis. The Index is used however, as an indicator to measure sustainable development.

Organic Farming

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farms became organic in 2001 to date.

Elliot Morley: For the period December 2000 to June 2001, the number of officially registered organic holdings, including those in conversion, in the UK increased from 5,508 to 5,939.

Organic Farming

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will set out the support mechanism to convert to organic farming in EU member states; which countries make no payments for them; which provide transitional support; and which make continuing post conversion payments.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 22 October 2001
	Support for conversion to organic farming is governed by EC Regulations 1257/99 and 1750/99. The regulations require member states to set out their planned support for organic farming in a rural development programme which must be approved by the EC Commission. We have done so in the England Rural Development Programme, which can be accessed through the DEFRA website. We do not have copies of the programmes of other member states but detailed information about other Governments' support is available at www.organic-europe.net.
	Under the EC regulations, payments to farmers who convert their land to organic farming methods must be made for at least five years. For most farmers, the conversion period is two years, thus farmers are supported during conversion and in the immediate years following. The rates and structure of payments vary widely between member states. Many of them make payments beyond the five-year period. The current England Organic Farming Scheme directs support at the time of greatest need, ie during the conversion period and the initial years of full organic status.

Agriculture Review

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made on her review and reform of agriculture.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 19 October 2001
	The independent Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food have commenced their work and are undertaking a written consultation exercise. We expect their report at the end of the year.

Farming

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent measures she has taken to promote British farming.

Elliot Morley: Since 1997 the Government have injected some £1.35 billion into the farming sector. We are promoting the modernisation of farming through key policy initiatives including the Action Plan for Farming, the England Rural Development Programme, and measures in the Rural White Paper. We are also now working on how to help the livestock sector move forward to a more secure future in the aftermath of the foot and mouth disease outbreak.
	The independent Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food will give further impetus to this work.

Cereal Producers

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what support her Department is giving to cereal producers in the East Midlands.

Elliot Morley: The principal means of support for cereal producers in the East Midlands, as elsewhere, is the EU's Arable Area Payments Scheme (AAPS). Claimants in the East Midlands in 2000 received some £107 million for cereals under AAPS, as well as £3.6 million in agrimonetary compensation. Cereal producers also benefit from support measures which operate under the EU's common market organisation for cereals, and many of them also participate in agri-environmental schemes under the England Rural Development Programme.
	Payments under AAPS for 2001 will start later this year. The aid rate for cereals will be £225.64 per hectare, compared with £217.27 per hectare in 2000.

Pyre Waste

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government have taken to dispose of waste arising from pyres used to incinerate livestock in the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Where possible, and subject to groundwater authorisation from the Environment Agency, ash has been buried on site. This activity is carried out by contractors and staff working to local disease emergency control centres. Where groundwater authorisations could not be given, ash has been collected under a national scheme and transported to a suitable landfill site and buried.

Waste Plastic

Colin Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures are being taken to encourage the collection and recycling of waste plastic.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 22 October 2001
	The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 place obligations on certain businesses to recover and recycle specific tonnages of packaging waste, including plastic. The recovery and recycling targets for 2001 under the packaging regulations are 56 per cent. for recovery and 18 per cent. for material-specific recycling of packaging waste. We are currently consulting on recovery and recycling targets for packaging waste in 2002.
	All local authorities have been set statutory recycling performance standards, to underpin the national targets established in the Waste Strategy 2000 for England and Wales, of recycling or composting at least 25 per cent. of household waste by 2005. Future standards will be considered in the light of technological advances, with the aim of maximising the recycling and composting of waste. It is for local authorities to decide which waste streams they should tackle in meeting their performance standard.
	The Government have also established the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to promote more sustainable waste management through tackling the barriers to increased reuse and recycling.
	WRAP has identified plastics as a priority area in its business plan to 2003–04. One of WRAP's priorities is marketing existing recycled plastic products and removing discriminatory standards. These are linked to the development of 'buy recycled' policies and a research and development programme to develop plastics recycling technology and support composite product development. One of WRAP's aims is to achieve a 20,000 tonne increase in the mixed plastics processing for industrial products by 2003–04.

Flood Defences

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what requests for funding she has received from the Environment Agency to prevent future flooding of the (a) Ouse, (b) Uck and (c) Cuckmere; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Following the severe flooding last year, this Department has responded with a number of funding initiatives, some of which have benefited the Environment Agency's flood management of the Ouse, Uck and Cuckmere directly as shown in the table.
	
		£000 
		
			 Initiative Benefit to Ouse, Uck and Cuckmere 
		
		
			 Contribution to emergency response and repairs costs over 500 
			 Special funding of design and feasibility costs of, for River Ouse strategy 150 
		
	
	The agency has made some estimates for possible capital works in its medium term plans and these will be considered for grant aid in the normal way when detailed applications are submitted.

Flood Defences

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from the Environment Agency regarding the funding of the agency's four proposed schemes to combat flooding of the River Uck.

Elliot Morley: None. We understand that the Environment Agency are still considering a range of options for schemes to alleviate flooding from the River Uck. No doubt when the agency has identified its preferred options, applications will be submitted to this Department for grant aid. Any such applications will be considered sympathetically against the normal economic, technical an environmental criteria and priority score arrangements.

Form A and D Notices

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what records are kept of Form A and D notices in Herefordshire.

Elliot Morley: A computer record is maintained by the Worcester Animal Health Divisional Office of all Form A and Form D notices in Herefordshire.

Oak and Horse Chestnut Trees

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent information she has collated about the spread of diseases, viruses or bacteria adversely affecting (a) oak and (b) horse chestnut trees; what her assessment is of the risk they pose to those trees; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: We have collected information about two diseases that affect oak trees, neither of which is thought to pose a significant risk to trees in Britain.
	The first is known as Oak Dieback. The Forestry Commission has been investigating this over the last decade, and a similar decline in the health of oak trees has been reported from many other countries in Europe. The cause remains unclear but our experts consider that a strain of fungus may be thriving as a result of climate change. Drought and insect defoliation are also thought to be playing a part. The species affected is the Common oak (Quercus robur) while our native, the Sessile oak (Q. petraea), appears to be immune.
	The second is known as Sudden Oak Death. This new disease, recently named Phytophthora ramorum, was identified in parts of California last year. The principal host is Tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus) although some species of true oak (Quercus spp.), which do not occur in Europe, and certain other plants including rhododendron and viburnum have also been affected. Similar symptoms were recorded on rhododendron and viburnum plants in Germany and the Netherlands as long ago as 1993 although it was only earlier this year that it was established that P. ramorum was the causal agent. The Forestry Commission and DEFRA are working together to establish whether any British oak trees have been affected or are, indeed, even susceptible to this disease. Early indications are that European oaks may not be susceptible. Current quarantine controls on plants exported from the USA, aimed at other pests and diseases, are considered sufficient to provide protection against accidental import of the disease. This disease and controls against it are being considered by the EU Standing Committee on Plant Health.
	There are no specific pests or diseases affecting horse chestnut trees in Britain, although we are monitoring the progress of the Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner (Cameraria ohridella) in continental Europe. This pest was first detected in Austria in 1989 and has since spread to many parts of Central and Eastern Europe. It is only found in leaves and leaf litter, and is dispersed when leaves are moved to new areas. Unfortunately, cars, lorries and trains often carry leaves long distances, and this is probably how it has spread across Europe. Leaves are, of course, also dispersed by the wind. Attacks are not fatal and trees may survive repeated attacks by successive generations of larvae. Our scientists are closely involved in research into control methods. The Forestry Commission is also planning to publish an illustrated leaflet describing the biology and symptoms of infestation of the moth next spring, to coincide with the period of the moth's activity.

Litter

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to review the litter laws; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: In March 2001, I announced that the litter legislation was to be reviewed. We will be looking in particular at litter in water, storage and collection of trade waste, providing and using civic amenity site, fly-tipping, managing trade wastes, litter on private land and easing the route for local authorities to prosecute offenders.

Recycling

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of levels of recycled household waste in (a) the UK and (b) other European countries.

Michael Meacher: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) on 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 1052W.

Departmental Staff Costs

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate total annual staff costs for her Department and its agencies by nation and region of the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The estimated staff costs (pay, national insurance contribution, pension provision) for my Department, for the 2001–02 financial year, are given in the table.
	
		£ million 
		
			 English Government Office Regions  
		
		
			 East Midlands 7.5 
			 Eastern 23.4 
			 London 78.4 
			 North East 9.0 
			 North West 16.0 
			 South East 115.4 
			 South West 26.2 
			 West Midlands 11.0 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 32.6 
			  
			 Total England 320.1 
			 Scotland 2.9 
			 Wales 0.7 
			  
			 Total 323.7 
		
	
	These figures do not include the additional costs incurred in tackling foot and mouth disease. They include full year costs for the following agencies: Central Science Laboratory, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pesticides Safety Directorate, Rural Payments Agency (which came into being formally on 16 October), Veterinary Laboratories Agency and Veterinary Medicines Directorate. The Agency costs have been included in the region where their headquarters is based, for example the Rural Payments Agency has been included in the figures for the south-east. The figures for London reflect the large concentration of the Department's policy and senior staff being based there.

Departmental Spending

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total amount of spending by her Department was in each nation and region of the UK, in the last year for which figures are available; what proportion of her Department's total spending this constitutes; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 854W.

Correspondence

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what was, for each year since 1995, the average response time for providing a substantive answer to (a) hon. Member's correspondence, (b) correspondence from members of the public and (c) written parliamentary questions in the (i) Commons and (ii) Lords;
	(2)  what was, for each year since 1995, the total number of (a) letters from hon. Members (b) letters from members of the public and (c) parliamentary questions from (i) hon. Members and (ii) Lords dealt with by her Department; what percentage took (A) more than one month and (B) more than three months to provide a substantive answer; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The effective handling of correspondence and PQs is an issue to which I, and ministerial colleagues, attach great importance.
	General information on the volumes of correspondence received across Whitehall and on overall performance is published by the Cabinet Office. Figures for 2000 were published on 6 April 2001, Official Report, columns 324–28W, and 19 July 2001, Official Report, columns 454–56W.
	This Department was created on 8 June 2001, bringing together some groups from the former Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR), the former Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) and animal welfare issues and fox hunting from the Home Office. The information requested is therefore not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Correspondence

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will answer the question tabled by the hon. Member for Yeovil (ref 148) on 20 July.

Elliot Morley: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 1073W.

Agriculture Council

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the outcome was of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 23 October; what the Government's stance was on each issue discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Whitty, attended the meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers in Luxembourg on 23 October.
	We reported on the experiments to identify whether UK sheep had been exposed to BSE. We emphasised that the UK was conducting a large programme of research into BSE, of which the experiments on brain material from the early 1990s was a small part. Other continuing experiments had shown no evidence of BSE in the flock. Commissioner Byrne reported on progress with the EU programme of cattle testing for BSE and concluded that the Council would need to keep current measures under review.
	The Commission presented a number of new proposals: proposals for measures to improve the monitoring and control of animal diseases transmissible to man; a report on the evaluation of the active substances in agricultural pesticides to which the Council will revert in November; and proposals for improving the control of genetically modified food and feed and for the traceability and labelling of genetically modified organisms.
	On foot and mouth disease, we updated colleagues on progress towards stamping out the disease in this country. The Council also discussed the situation in the beef market and agreed to keep it under examination.
	There was in addition a brief exchange of views on the Commission's proposal to withdraw the authorisation for use of certain feed additives. A number of member states, including the UK, voiced concern over some of the possible withdrawals. The Commission noted that the necessary technical information had not been supplied to support continued authorisation.
	Over lunch Commissioner Fischler updated Ministers on the agricultural aspects of the preparations for the World Trade Organisation ministerial meeting at Doha.

Livestock Markets

Tim Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to announce conclusions about the future of livestock markets.

Elliot Morley: For reasons of foot and mouth disease control, there are no plans to re-open livestock markets in the immediate future. Veterinary and scientific advice is that there is an inherent risk of spreading the disease by mixing animals together and then dispersing them. Any livestock keeper with poor standards of biosecurity might attend markets from anywhere in the country and put at risk others attending the market. Even in designated free counties it would take only one such lapse in biosecurity precautions to spread the disease. It is right to be cautious at this stage but the situation will be kept under review.

Foot and Mouth

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many representations have been made by farmers with regard to the difference in valuations of stock with regard to foot and mouth disease (a) before and (b) after 22 March.

Elliot Morley: The Department has received representations from 1,224 farmers (as at 21 October) about the valuation of stock with regard to foot and mouth disease. Of these 370 were received before 22 March (when standard values were introduced) and 854 after this date.

Foot and Mouth

Tim Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she last met Professor Fred Brown of the US Department of Agriculture to discuss foot and mouth disease; and when she next plans to do so.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 18 October 2001
	The Secretary of State has not met with Professor Brown and at the moment does not have a meeting planned.

Foot and Mouth

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from farmers on the fall in income they have incurred since the outbreak of foot and mouth disease; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The Department has received a number of representations in relation to revenue losses suffered by farmers and farming organisations as a consequence of foot and mouth disease. We are very much aware that the outbreak is having a considerable impact on farming and a range of industries throughout the UK. However it is not possible at this stage to make a reliable estimate of the overall loss of revenue caused by the outbreak. DEFRA is working with a number of other Government Departments to prepare such an estimate and the results of this work will be made publicly available. We are also developing proposals for a survey to collect information from farmers on the direct and indirect impact of foot and mouth disease.

Foot and Mouth

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent action she has taken to ensure that the UK is returned to foot and mouth disease-free status.

Elliot Morley: While we cannot rule out the possibility of a resurgence of the disease at this stage, the Department is taking a number of measures to reduce the risk of further outbreaks. We will continue to stamp out disease whenever it occurs and we are conducting a comprehensive programme of blood testing sheep flocks as part of our arrangements for the gradual relaxation of movement controls. We also have in place a system for cleansing and disinfecting previously infected farms.
	We are providing advice to farmers on the controls that need to be exercised when reintroducing animals on to their land. This is not only intended to minimise the risk of foot and mouth disease, but other important diseases of livestock.
	Biosecurity measures are also vital in helping to prevent the spread and resurgence of foot and mouth disease. As part of the on-going campaign to provide timely and accurate information and advice to all concerned, we have mailed biosecurity guidelines, leaflets and letters and placed adverts in local, national and specialist publications. In addition, local veterinary inspectors have contacted their clients to discuss biosecurity and other aspects of the disease.

Foot and Mouth

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the farms and farm buildings which have been demolished to eradicate foot and mouth disease, indicating the nature of the building, its age, features of architectural significance and its location.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 15 October 2001
	The Department is unable to publicly identify those farmers whose farm buildings have been demolished as part of the measures to control foot and mouth disease because this would contravene the Data Protection Act 1998. General information on the type or age of buildings that have been demolished can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Following the suspension and revision of secondary cleansing and disinfection costs, guidelines have been issued making it clear public funds will not be used for betterment of farm buildings, or where they are in poor conditions and health and safety is compromised or where the costs are disproportionate.

Foot and Mouth

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if all the previously outstanding payments to farmers in Chorley as a result of the outbreak of foot and mouth have been paid.

Elliot Morley: All statutory compensation due to farmers in Chorley for animals slaughtered during the current outbreak has now been paid. The Department has received a number of other claims from farmers related to the outbreak. These are currently under consideration.

Foot and Mouth

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the operation and logistics of the cleansing and disinfecting operation following foot and mouth disease.

Elliot Morley: Preliminary cleansing and disinfection (C&D) is carried out during the slaughter and disposal stage on all premises known, or believed, to be contaminated with foot and mouth disease in order to minimise the risk of the virus spreading to neighbouring farms.
	Twenty-four hours after this stage has been completed, secondary cleansing and disinfection can commence, the purpose of which is to allow restocking and reduce the risk of recrudescence. Secondary C&D is generally undertaken by either farmers themselves or commercial contractors. Subject to preparatory work being undertaken by the farmer, secondary C&D is normally undertaken at DEFRA expense.
	The secondary C&D operation is well advanced, with 60 per cent. of premises subject to secondary C&D now complete, and a further 30 per cent. in progress.

Foot and Mouth

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on ecological changes arising from the de-stocking of hill areas during the foot and mouth outbreak.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 15 October 2001
	There has been little opportunity to observe the changes that are taking place because of biosecurity restrictions. However, it is unlikely that there will be any lasting changes providing normal grazing resumes within a reasonable time.

Foot and Mouth

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the promptness of payment of (a) livestock compensation to farmers whose animals have been slaughtered in the foot and mouth crisis and (b) contractors who have assisted in the disposal and clean up operations.

Elliot Morley: Throughout the outbreak the aim has been to make payments as soon as possible subject to the necessary checks to protect public funds, but at the peak of the outbreak payments were delayed due to the large volume of claims received.
	The Department's target is to pay all contractors/ suppliers of goods and services we employ within 30 days of receipt of a valid invoice. Given the large number of suppliers of goods and services which the Department has contracted—all of whom expect to be paid promptly—this target has proved difficult to meet. However, the time taken to process invoices is being reduced.
	In addition to this, there is a duty to ensure proper, effective and efficient use of public money. This means that the Department cannot pay invoices for goods and/or services that are not accompanied by accurate supporting information as to the nature and extent of the goods and services supplied. Unfortunately this information is not always provided by some of the suppliers we have employed. This has made the Department's task much harder, and it is often one of the reasons for delays.

Foot and Mouth

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what is the (a) highest, (b) lowest and (c) average payment of compensation made to farmers following the foot and mouth outbreak.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 15 October 2001
	As at 10 October the highest amount paid for a valuation for statutory animal compensation is £4,238,800; the lowest is £20; and the average is £104,395.

Diesel Storage

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement about the health and safety implications of the storage of diesel on domestic premises.

Alan Whitehead: I have been asked to reply.
	Diesel is not a significant fire risk in its own right but would add fuel to any fire which started in other combustible material.
	The storage of diesel on domestic premises is not currently covered by specific health and safety legislation. However, some restrictions are placed on fuel storage spaces in the Building Regulations and (in Scotland) in the Building Standards.
	The Health and Safety Executive is currently reviewing the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928, which controls storage of petrol. It expects to carry out the third and final phase of this review next year, to look at domestic storage of petrol and consider whether in future other vehicle fuels, such as diesel should be covered by safety controls for domestic premises.

Flood Damage

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what specific measures she plans to take to contribute to the completion of repairs to north Yorkshire's road network following flood damage incurred in autumn 2000.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply
	The Government have decided to give extra assistance to those authorities where the cost of dealing with flood damage to their highways and bridges incurred during the autumn of 2000 would absorb a high proportion of their available resources for highway and bridge maintenance. £23 million was made available nationally from the Government's emergency reserves, from which north Yorkshire county council received £1.258 million.
	This was also in addition to a previous additional allocation of £0.7 million towards the repairs to Mercury Bridge in Richmond, which was seriously damaged during flooding in June 2000.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

CPS (Child Abuse)

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Solicitor-General if she will make a statement on the policy of the CPS in connection with allegations of child sex abuse in children's homes.

Harriet Harman: The CPS applies the code for Crown Prosecutors in all cases referred to it by the police so that it can make fair and consistent decisions about prosecutions. Every case is reviewed to make sure that it meets the evidential and public interest tests set out in the code.
	The more serious the offence the more likely it is that it will be prosecuted. Cases of child sexual abuse committed in children's homes are always regarded as serious and often involve one or more of the public interest factors listed in the code that generally tend in favour of prosecution. These factors include: where the defendant is in a position of trust; where the victim is vulnerable; where there are marked differences in age; or where there is an element of corruption. In such cases, a prosecution will usually take place unless there are strong public interest factors tending against prosecution which clearly outweigh those tending in favour.

Criminal Prosecutions

Vera Baird: To ask the Solicitor-General what criteria apply in deciding whether to prosecute (a) serious fraud and (b) other criminal offences.

Harriet Harman: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is the principal prosecuting authority in England and Wales, and as such it takes over and prosecutes the complete spectrum of criminal cases instituted by the police. This includes serious offences of fraud, although these cases can also be prosecuted by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
	CPS decisions on whether or not to prosecute an offence, of any kind, are taken in accordance with the principles set out in the code for Crown Prosecutors, issued by the Director of Public Prosecution under section 10 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985.
	The code acknowledges that each case is unique and must be considered on its own facts and merits. However, fairness and consistency in assessing these elements are promoted by applying a common framework of key principles, irrespective of the type of offence under consideration.

CPS Reform

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Solicitor-General if she will make a statement on her plans to reform the CPS.

Harriet Harman: Reforms recommended by the Glidewell Review to deliver better justice are presently being implemented in the CPS.
	The CPS is restructuring its front line operations to secure benefits from close working with the police, and enabling lawyers to concentrate on more serious cases. A modern IT infrastructure is being rolled-out and a new electronic case management application is planned for 2003. The recruitment of more lawyers, caseworkers and administrative staff has begun, from resources provided by the last spending review, and an enhanced level of service is being delivered to victims and witnesses.

CPS (Denman Report)

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Solicitor-General if she will make a statement on progress with the report of Mrs. Sylvia Denman on racism within the CPS.

Harriet Harman: The Denman report into racism in the Crown Prosecution Service was published on 26 July 2001. The report was welcomed by the Director of Public Prosecutions and all 10 recommendations were accepted. The Crown Prosecution Service has started work on implementing the 10 recommendations. These have already been implemented, a further six are in the process of being implemented and the last recommendation will be implemented in spring 2002.
	The Attorney-General has formed a group called the Attorney-General Race Advisory Group, which will assist the Law Officers in overseeing the service's implementation of these recommendations. Members of the group include Sylvia Denman herself and Gurbux Singh the Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality.

CPS (Prosecution Rate)

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Solicitor-General what proportion of cases passed by the police to the CPS for prosecution are subsequently dropped.

Harriet Harman: During the year ending June 2001, 13 per cent. of completed cases were discontinued by the CPS in magistrates courts, and 12.8 per cent. of completed cases were dropped in the Crown court. The magistrates court figures include those cases dropped at court before prosecution evidence was heard as well as those formally discontinued in advance of the hearing. The Crown court figures represent all cases dropped by the CPS before a jury was sworn, including those discontinued under section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 implemented in January 2001.

Human Rights Act

Anne Campbell: To ask the Solicitor-General what assessment has been made of the impact on prosecutions of the implementation of the Human Rights Act 1998.

Harriet Harman: High quality CPS training and guidance has ensured that prosecuting lawyers are well equipped to advise on and argue their cases, fully respecting human rights. A fast tracking procedure for appeals involving human rights points has proved an effective mechanism for obtaining authoritative judgments from the higher courts, keeping uncertainty and delay to a minimum while important points are clarified. Judgments in these cases have contributed to the emerging domestic human rights jurisprudence.

TREASURY

Regulators

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he is taking to restrain the costs of official bodies classified as regulators.

Andrew Smith: This February the Treasury published an "External Efficiency Review of Utility Regulators". The purpose of this review was to give the Treasury, the utility regulators concerned (Ofgem, Ofwat, Oftel and ORR) and their stakeholders reassurance that each regulator is efficiently run, to identify any shortcomings and to encourage the spread of good practice.
	The report concluded that the UK regulators are professionally run organisations. The regulators' positive response to this report will lead to further improvements in UK regulatory standards. My officials have discussed the implementation of the report with Ofgem, Oftel, Ofwat and ORR and will continue to monitor progress. Implementation of the report will increase transparency in budget setting, lead to better assessment of the costs and benefits of major projects, spread best practice, and help the regulators recruit and retain quality staff.

Regulators

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the (a) individual and (b) total costs to HM Government of official bodies classified as regulators for each year since May 1997, including predictions for 2002.

Andrew Smith: The utility regulators are funded by fees paid by the licence holders in their industries. With one exception for part of Oftel's expenditure, the regulators are therefore not funded through general taxation, although they are all subject to control of gross spending and the use of receipts through Estimates presented to Parliament.
	The best single source of cost information in relation to the utility regulators Ofgem (energy), Ofwat (water), ORR (rail) and Oftel (telecommunications) is contained in the "External Efficiency Review of Utility Regulators" which was published this February. The full report can be found on the Treasury website www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/ pdf/2001/regulators 1902.pdf. (see "Cost Efficiency" section 4—Table 4.1).
	Detailed cost information is published in each of the organisations' annual reports.

Regulators

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total staff costs in real terms; and how many staff were employed, by all official bodies described as regulators in each year since May 1997.

Andrew Smith: The best single source of staff cost information in relation to the utility regulators Ofgem (energy), Ofwat (water), ORR (rail) and Oftel (telecommunications) is contained in the WS Atkins report, "External Efficiency Review of Utility Regulators", which was published this February. The full report can be found on the Treasury website www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/pdf/ 2001 regulators 1902.pdf.
	Detailed cost information and staff numbers are published in each of the organisations' annual reports.

Euro

Adam Price: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the First Ministers and others from the devolved Administrations in relation to UK entry into the euro-zone and their role in a referendum on that question.

Ruth Kelly: If the Government recommend UK entry into economic and monetary union, it will be put to a vote in Parliament and then to a referendum of the British people. A Government decision to recommend UK entry into economic and monetary union is a reserved matter, and therefore a matter for the UK Government.

Euro

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many officials in his Department are involved in the preliminary technical work on the five economic tests relating to membership of the euro; which official is in charge of this work; when he expects this work to be completed; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 2 July 2001, Official Report, column 67W and 12 July 2001, Official Report, columns 648–49W.

Child Care

Barbara Follett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how he plans to consider child care as part of the 2002 Spending Review.

Andrew Smith: We intend to conduct an inter- departmental review of child care, whose conclusions will feed into the 2002 Spending Review.
	The review will be led by my noble Friend Baroness Ashton, and will involve the Department for Education and Skills, the Department for Work and Pensions, HM Treasury, and the Women and Equality Unit, together with the Performance and Innovation Unit.

Split-capital Investment Trusts

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the number of split-capital investment trusts which have breached their banking covenants in the UK in the last three months; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: Subject to the requirements on listed companies to make disclosures to the market, individual companies' relationships with their banks is a matter for them.

Public Service Agreements

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) increases and (b) decreases in departmental budgets have occurred since May 1999 on the basis of departmental performance in relation to public service agreements; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Smith: Information about performance against the targets set in public service agreements is a significant factor when considering departmental budgets. Information on budget allocations and departmental performance is published annually in Departmental Reports.

Public Service Agreements

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to report on the success of Departments in achieving their public service agreement targets; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Smith: Government Departments will continue to publish information about performance against their public service agreement targets in annual Departmental Reports.

Public Finances

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what his estimate is of the public sector net cash requirement in the financial year 2001–02 to date; how this compares with the PSNCR at the same stage of the 2000–01 financial year; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what his estimate is of the percentage change in (a) income tax, (b) value added tax, (c) corporation tax, (d) excise tax and (e) national insurance contribution receipts, between the period from April to September in (i) fiscal year 2000–01 and (ii) fiscal year 2001–02; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Smith: The information requested can be obtained from the joint HM Treasury/Office for National Statistics (ONS) public sector finances "First Release", which was published on 18 October. Copies are available in the Library and on the ONS website www.statistics.gov.uk.

Taxes and Excise Duties

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce deferred increases in taxes and excise duties; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The Government keep all taxes under review and decisions will be made as part of the normal Budget process.

Corporate Directors (Salaries)

Mike O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will introduce proposals to use the tax system to control very large salary increases for corporate directors and managers; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will introduce proposals to restrict the ability of a corporation to deduct as a business expense an increase in the salary of a director or manager which is not approved by shareholders.

Andrew Smith: Salary levels are a matter for the organisation concerned and its shareholders, not for the tax system. In general terms the business tax system does not seek to distinguish between one sort of expenditure and another but tests for tax relief by reference to whether or not the expenditure was incurred for business purposes.

Personal Investment Authority Investigations

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to reduce the administrative fee levied on financial services firms by the Financial Services Authority for Personal Investment Authority Ombudsman investigations into advice given by such firms.

Ruth Kelly: The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) will replace the Personal Investment Authority Ombudsman Bureau and seven other complaints schemes on 1 December 2001.
	The FOS will be funded by a combination of a general levy (which all authorised firms will pay) and case fees. The FOS will consult on its 2002–03 budget in January 2002.

International Tax Recoveries

James Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many taxpayers there were in the years ending 31 March (a) 1999 and (b) 2000, including as one any group of taxpayers who are for tax assessment purposes a single taxpayer from whom recoveries in terms of tax, duty, interest and penalties of £214 million (1999) and £1,091 million (2000) were made by International Division; what was the total largest recovery from such taxpayers in each of those years; and if the recoveries included penalties.

Ruth Kelly: The Inland Revenue has a duty to maintain taxpayer confidentiality, and it is not therefore possible to disclose precisely how much International Division recovered from any single taxpayer.
	The table provides an analysis of recoveries.
	
		
			   Year to 31 March  
			 Current tax yield range 1999 2000 
		
		
			 Less than £1 million 103 78 
			 £1 million to £10 million 11 18 
			 £10 million to £50 million 6 7 
			 £50 million to £100 million 0 0 
			 Over £100 million 0 2 
			  
			 Total settlements 120 105 
		
	
	No penalties were included in the tax yield.

Independent Insurance Company

Paul Keetch: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has had for compensation following the collapse of the Independent Insurance Company; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The Treasury has received a number of inquiries relating to Independent Insurance.
	I understand that the provisional liquidators are continuing to go through the process of identifying all policyholders and agreeing claims where appropriate. Many of those claims will be covered by the Policyholders Protection Board (PPB). This means: valid claims under compulsory insurance, including third party motor insurance, are payable in full; and valid claims made by private policyholders (essentially individuals and partnerships, but not small companies) under non- compulsory insurance, including other liability claims, claims for own damage under comprehensive motor policies, buildings and home contents policies etc., are payable to 90 per cent.
	Claims by businesses, except for claims under compulsory insurance policies, will generally rank with other creditors of the company to be paid in due course by the provisional liquidator to the extent that funds are available.

Brownfield Sites

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the uptake has been, broken down by region of the advance payable tax credit for clearing and developing brownfield sites; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: No regional estimates are available for the take-up of this measure.

Interest Rates

John Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Treasury (a) told the Bank of England about the co-ordinated interest rate cuts following the events of September 11 and (b) discussed British response with the Bank.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 23 October 2001
	As permitted by the Bank of England Act 1998 the Governor of the Bank, as chair of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), convened a special MPC meeting on 18 September. As with all MPC meetings the Treasury representative was invited to attend.

Interest Rates

John Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Treasury has recently varied the instructions to the Bank of England to allow reductions in interest rates to stimulate economic activity.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 23 October 2001
	The Government set, and take responsibility for, the objectives of monetary policy as laid out in the remit given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the Governor of the Bank of England, under the Bank of England Act 1998. The inflation target and the remit are renewed annually (last time being in March 2001), as required by the Act. The Government have issued no instructions other than the remit.

Working Families Tax Credit

David Willetts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he is taking to help Working Families Tax Credit recipients who have been refused a mortgage because of the reluctance of mortgage providers to count WFTC payments as income.

Ruth Kelly: It is a discretionary matter for individual mortgage providers to decide whether or not to count WFTC as income when considering mortgage applications.

Winter Deaths

David Willetts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many excess winter deaths have occurred in each year since 1979; and what the provisional figures for the winter of 2000–01 are.

Ruth Kelly: The information falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell to Mr. David Willetts, dated 24 October 2001
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking for the number of excess winter deaths since 1979 and for the provisional figures for 2000–01 (9813). I am replying in his absence.
	The attached table shows these figures. Figures for 2000–2001 are provisional.
	
		Excess winter deaths(18), all ages, all causes, England and Wales, 1979–2000, 2000–01(19)
		
			 Winter (December to March) Number of deaths 
		
		
			 1979–80 (20)30,110 
			 1980–81 (20)32,900 
			 1981–82 (20)42,380 
			 1982–83 (20)42,820 
			 1983–84 (20)30,240 
			 1984–85 (20)47,380 
			 1985–86 (20)49,330 
			 1986–87 (20)26,370 
			 1987–88 (20)32,970 
			 1988–89 (20)21,160 
			 1989–90 (20)47,200 
			 1990–91 (20)37,940 
			 1991–92 (20)34,850 
			 1992–93 (20)25,650 
			 1993–94 (20)25,900 
			 1994–95 (20)27,290 
			 1995–96 (20)40,190 
			 1996–97 (20)47,680 
			 1997–98 (20)22,900 
			 1998–99 (20)46,840 
			 1999–2000 (20)48,440 
			 2000–01 (21)25,000 
		
	
	(18) Excess winter deaths are defined by the Office for National Statistics as the difference between the number of deaths during the four winter months (December to March) and the average number of deaths the preceding autumn (August to November) and the following summer (April to July)
	(19) Provisional
	(20) Rounded to the nearest 10
	(21) Provisional, rounded to the nearest 100

Bank Accounts (Terrorists)

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the bank accounts which have been frozen since 11 September on the ground of terrorist associations.

Ruth Kelly: The legislation implementing UNSCR 1373 in the UK does not empower the Government to disclose details of individual accounts frozen without the consent of the financial institutions holding the accounts of suspected terrorists.
	The list of individuals and institutions covered by the freezing order has been published by the Bank of England Sanctions Unit.

Consultation Documents

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultation documents have been issued by (a) his Department, (b) HM Customs and Excise and (c) HM Inland Revenue since 1 April 2000; and if he will list in each case the opening and closing dates of the consultation.

Ruth Kelly: Details of HM Treasury and Inland Revenue consultation papers, including their opening and closing dates are available on their respective public internet websites. Customs and Excise (C&E) have issued four consultation documents since 1 April 2000. An up to date list of C&E consultation documents is expected to be listed on their public website at the end of December 2001.

Turkey

Harry Cohen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans there are to reschedule Turkey's debts; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: Turkey is implementing an IMF programme, supported by $19 billion of IMF resources, which is currently on track. The IMF Board has the flexibility to delay repayments on these loans, if circumstances require. Turkey continues to honour all its bilateral obligations, including to the UK Government.

Taxation

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what criteria he decides which (a) tax levies, (b) tax reliefs and (c) tax credits are administered by (i) HM Customs and Excise and (ii) the Inland Revenue.

Ruth Kelly: In general, direct taxes and associated credits and entitlements, are administered by the Inland Revenue, and indirect taxes and customs control systems are administered by HM Customs and Excise.
	Further information on the administrative responsibilities of HM Customs and Excise and Inland Revenue are set out in their respective annual reports.

ISAs

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide a breakdown of the take-up rate of ISAs by each earnings quintile, since their introduction.

Ruth Kelly: Information by earnings quintile is not readily available. However, analysis from the 2000–01 NOP Financial Research Survey suggests that around a fifth of all ISAs and a quarter of mini cash ISAs are held by those earning less than £11,500 per year, compared with around one in five TESSAs and one in six PEPs.

Gambling

Claire Ward: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact upon revenue of the implementation of the recommendations made in the gambling review report.

Paul Boateng: The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is currently consulting on the gambling review report's recommendations and no decisions have been made about their implementation.

Customs and Excise

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the total publicity and advertising budget for HM Customs and Excise was in (a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02;
	(2)  what the unit cost of administering indirect taxes per trader was in (a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02 to the latest date for which information is available;
	(3)  what the total net administration costs of HM Customs and Excise were for the current financial year up to the most recent date for which figures are available;
	(4)  what the actual net programme costs of HM Customs and Excise were for the current financial year to the latest date for which figures are available; what his latest estimate is of the outturn for total net programme costs for 2001–02; and if he will make a statement;
	(5)  what the total net programme costs of HM Customs and Excise for the financial year 2000–01 were;
	(6)  what his latest estimate is for the total net administration costs of HM Customs and Excise for the financial year 2001–02;
	(7)  what the final outturn for the total net administration costs of HM Customs and Excise was for 2000–01.

Paul Boateng: holding answer 22 October 2001
	Where available, final estimates of these costs will be published in the annual report of the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise later this year.

Customs and Excise

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of complaints against HM Customs and Excise were upheld by the Adjudication Office in (a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02 to the most recent date for which information is available.

Paul Boateng: The outcome of complaints investigated by the Adjudicator's Office in 2000–01 was set out in the Adjudicator's annual report, published on 11 July 2001. The outcome of complaints investigated in 2001–02 will be set out in the Adjudicator's 2002 annual report due to be published next year.

European Court of Justice Judgments

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the implications for (a) UK tax law and (b) Government revenue of the 9 October Judgment of the European Court of Justice in Case C-409/98, Commissioners of HM Customs and Excise v. Mirror Group plc; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Boateng: No change in UK tax legislation is needed as a result of this judgment. The impact on tax revenue will depend on the UK courts' decision on an issue which has been referred back to them by the European Court of Justice.

European Court of Justice Judgments

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the implications for (a) UK tax law and (b) Government revenue of the 4 October judgment of the European Court of Justice in Case C-326/99 "Stichting 'Goed Woren' v. Staatssecretaris van Financien"; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Boateng: As the judgment of the European Court of Justice in this Dutch case is in line with UK policy, it has no impact on UK tax legislation or revenue.

Smuggling

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many scanners to detect tobacco smuggling in freight containers are deployed by HM Customs and Excise; at which ports the scanners are located; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Boateng: Customs have seven scanners in operation, another three will come into operation soon and a procurement exercise is in process to obtain more. It is Customs policy not to provide details of precise operational deployment. All Customs scanners are mobile and are deployed flexibly throughout the UK to ensure Customs can react to, and tackle, the smuggling threat as it changes.

Revenue Evasion

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total United Kingdom revenue evasion prevented by HM Customs and Excise was in 2000–01.

Paul Boateng: The total United Kingdom revenue evasion prevented by HM Customs and Excise in 2000–01 will be published in the Department's annual report that will be laid before Parliament in due course.

Savings Ratio

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the savings ratio has been for each quarter since May 1992;
	(2)  what the savings ratio has been among families in the lowest income quintile in each year since May 1997.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. Howard Flight, dated 25 October 2001
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent questions on the savings ratio among families in the lowest income quintile in each year since May 1997, and the overall household savings ratio for each quarter since May 1992 (9747, 9751). I am replying in his absence.
	The only data available on household expenditure and income by gross income for the lowest income quintile group are those collected in the Family Expenditure Survey and published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in "Family Spending". However, these data are not on a comparable basis to the National Accounts definition of expenditure and income.
	The information for overall household savings ratios for each quarter since 1992 is available as part of the output of the quarterly National Accounts and is published quarterly in the ONS' First Release, "Quarterly National Accounts". The series is held on the ONS database, using the four digit code NRJS. All sources are available in the House of Commons library.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS

Signals Passed at Danger

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will publish the location of the five signals most often passed at danger in the last year for which figures are available.

David Jamieson: The details of all signals passed at danger (SPADs) are contained in the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) monthly SPAD reports, copies of which are placed in the House Library and are also available on HSE's website at www.house.gov.uk/ railway/spad/index.htm.

Unadopted Alleyways

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  if he will introduce targets for the condition and safety of unadopted alleyways; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the number of unadopted alleyways in the United Kingdom;
	(3)  what plans he has to facilitate the improvement of unadopted alleyways; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  if he will introduce standards and targets to encourage the adoption of unadopted alleyways; and if he will make a statement.

Sally Keeble: Recent figures are not available for the number of unadopted streets or alleyways. In 1972 there were some 40,000 private streets throughout the country.
	Whether or not a street should be adopted is a matter for individual local authorities. They have the power to adopt such streets and to contribute towards the cost of making them up to an adoptable standard, where they deem that to be appropriate. An authority can also carry out urgent repairs to unadopted areas to prevent or remove danger to persons or vehicles, using powers conferred on them by section 230 of the Highways Act 1980, but without necessarily committing themselves to adoption. Any decision about whether to carry out urgent repairs is for the authority to make.

Transport Journeys

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions in each year since 1995, in each region and nation of the UK, what the percentage change in the number of journeys undertaken by (a) car, (b) train, (c) bus, (d) light railways, (e) trams, (f) underground and (g) other forms of transport was; what estimates he has made of trends in journeys undertaken by each category until (i) 2010, (ii) 2020 and (iii) 2030; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: Figures for Great Britain are set out in the tables. Information is not available for all modes in the format requested. However, some greater detail for bus, rail, underground and light rail can be found in Transport Statistics Great Britain 2001 in the Library.
	
		(a) Journeys by car
		
			  Great Britain trips (million) Percentage change 
		
		
			 1994 35,500 — 
			 1995 35,000 0 
			 1996 36,500 3 
			 1997 37,100 2 
			 1998 37,200 0 
			 1999 37,000 0 
			 2000 36,600 -1 
		
	
	Source:
	National Travel Survey
	
		(b) National Rail
		
			  Great Britain passenger journeys (million) Percentage change 
		
		
			 1994–95 735 — 
			 1995–96 761 4 
			 1996–97 801 5 
			 1997–98 846 6 
			 1998–99 892 5 
			 1999–2000 931 4 
			 2000–01 957 3 
		
	
	Source:
	Strategic Rail Authority
	
		(c) Bus
		
			  Great Britain passenger journeys (million) Percentage change 
		
		
			 1994–95 4,420 — 
			 1995–96 4,383 -1 
			 1996–97 4,350 -1 
			 1997–98 4,330 0 
			 1998–99 4,248 -2 
			 1999–2000 4,279 1 
			 2000–01 (22)4,314 1 
		
	
	(22) Provisional
	Source:
	DTLR annual survey of PSV operators
	
		(d) Light rail
		
			  Great Britain passenger journeys (million) Percentage change 
		
		
			 1994–95 63.2 — 
			 1995–96 67.8 7 
			 1996–97 73.3 8 
			 1997–98 79 8 
			 1998–99 85 8 
			 1999–2000 93.9 10 
			 2000–01 119.5 27 
		
	
	Source:
	DTLR survey of light rail operators
	
		(e) Underground
		
			  Great Britain passenger journeys (million) Percentage change 
		
		
			 1994–95 778.7 — 
			 1995–96 798.3 3 
			 1996–97 785.7 -2 
			 1997–98 846.1 8 
			 1998–99 880.6 4 
			 1999–2000 941.7 7 
			 2000–01 984.4 5 
		
	
	Source:
	London Underground, Strathclyde PTE
	
		(f) Other modes (including walking)
		
			  Great Britain trips (million) Percentage change 
		
		
			 1994 20,400 — 
			 1995 19,500 -4 
			 1996 19,100 -3 
			 1997 18,900 -1 
			 1998 18,900 -0 
			 1999 18,200 -4 
			 2000 17,400 -5 
		
	
	Source:
	National Travel Survey

Central Railway

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  when he will make a statement on the Central Railway proposal;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the specific recommendations made to Ministers by the Strategic Rail Authority regarding the Central Railway proposal.

David Jamieson: The Strategic Rail Authority has carried out, with the help of consultants, a high level review into Central Railway's proposals and has forwarded its report to my Department. The Government will take a view on the issues raised by the report and respond to Central Railway in due course.

All-Wales Rail Franchise

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the timetable is for the establishment of a single all-Wales rail franchise; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: An announcement will be made in due course.

All-Wales Rail Franchise

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the Government's policy is on the establishment of a single all-Wales rail franchise; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The draft Policy Statement on Passenger Rail Franchising issued on 16 July recognises that different approaches will be necessary to achieve the benefits we are looking for from different franchises.
	The Strategic Rail Authority has proposed the creation of a single franchise for Wales. It is considering this alongside the other options for delivering benefits to rail passengers on Welsh routes.

All-Wales Rail Franchise

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect of Railtrack's financial problems on the establishment of a single all-Wales rail franchise; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: We would not expect the establishment of a Welsh franchise to be affected by the High Court's decision to place Railtrack plc in railway administration.

Car Safety

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what differences there are between the technical test requirements proposed by Working Group 17 of the EEVC (European Enhanced Vehicle-safety Committee) and those proposed by the European motor industry for (a) impact speed for a child's head, (b) mass of a child's head, (c) maximum tibia acceleration and (d) maximum knee bend angle; and what ways the different proposals can be expected to produce different test results for pedestrians hit by a car.

David Jamieson: A comparison of the technical requirements is given in the table:
	
		
			  WG17 proposal Negotiated agreement 
			  Phase 1 Phase 2 
		
		
			 (a) Child's head impact speed (km/h) 40 35 40 
			 (b) Child's head mass (kg) 2.5 3.5 2.5 
			 (c) Max tibia acceleration (g) 150 200 150 
			 (d) Minimum knee bend angle (deg) 15 21 15 
		
	
	In comparison with the first phase of a negotiated agreement, the WG17 proposal offers greater protection against head injuries and reduced likelihood of leg injuries, a particular aspect being reduced knee injuries.

Car Safety

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what is the draft timetable for the stages for implementing the proposals of Working Group 17 of EEVC.

David Jamieson: The Commission are expected to make a decision on whether to accept the Industry proposal for a negotiated agreement in December this year. If this option is taken, pedestrian protection measures will start to be introduced in 2005, and the Working Group 17 proposals (or equivalent) will be fully implemented by 2015.
	If the negotiated agreement route is not taken, the Commission may decide to propose a Directive. Such a Directive would need to be discussed through the European Council and Parliament through the Co-decision Procedure, and the implementation dates would depend on the timing and outcome of these discussions.

Car Safety

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the change in number and intensity of pedestrian accidents if all cars in the (a) United Kingdom, and (b) EU had fronts that met the requirements of Working Group 17 of EEVC.

David Jamieson: The number of pedestrian accidents would not be affected by implementation of the Working Group 17 (WG17) proposals. However, past research by TRL (Transport Research Laboratory) estimated that measures similar to those recommended by WG17 would reduce the total number of pedestrian deaths by 8 per cent. and serious injuries by 21 per cent. This was applicable to both the UK and the EU. Other studies suggest a wider range of possible benefits.

Car Safety

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the points made in response to consultations on the alternative ways to reduce the consequences of car crashes to pedestrians.

David Jamieson: We are currently considering the responses we have received. We plan to make the results of the consultation available when we have completed this process.

Car Safety

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will decide between the safety proposals put forward by Working Group 17 of EEVC and the alternative proposals.

David Jamieson: We are currently considering the responses we have received to our consultation on the Commission's proposal for a negotiated agreement with manufactures, and hope to have reached a conclusion by mid-November.

Car Safety

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the research and development programmes that the Government have funded for the design and production of safer car fronts since 1979.

David Jamieson: The bulk of the UK research into safer car fronts has been carried out under TRL contracts S220C/VF and S222C/VF (pedestrian protection test procedures and design) which cover the period between 1992 and 2002.
	Related research on vehicle/pedestrian safety has taken place under TRL contracts S071M/VF (test requirements for bull bars) and S310B/VF (advanced adaptive safety systems).
	Further work in this general area is being undertaken in three new projects under the Government's foresight programme. These include the SHORSEN and APVRU projects which look at advanced pedestrian detection systems, and PEDSALI, which examines the use of advanced materials for pedestrian-friendly bumpers.

Regional Air Services

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will ensure that the forthcoming consultation on regional air services and air services in the south east of England and the subsequent White Paper include proposals on guaranteed access for air services from designated UK regional cities to Heathrow or Gatwick, for a minimum of three return services per day with the slots ring fenced by public service obligation status where appropriate; and if he will make a statement.

John Spellar: The forthcoming consultation documents on regional air services and air services in the south-east of England will address the issue of regional connections to London. We are currently reviewing Government policy on air links from UK regions to London in response to recent representations about the importance of Inverness-Gatwick and Belfast International-London Heathrow services. The hon. Friend's suggestions will be taken into account.

Night Flights

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  whether his Department will appeal against the European Court ruling on night flights at Heathrow; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if the decision by the European Court on night operations at Heathrow will change Government policy on designation of airports for night operations; if he will consult those companies, groups and individuals who would be most affected by such a change in policy before making any decision; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what economic research contingent the Government have commissioned into the need for night flights into London and other UK airports;
	(4)  what discussions he has had with trade unions representing airline and airport employees following the decision of the European Court of Human Rights on night flights; and if he will make a statement;
	(5)  if the European Court ruling on night noise at Heathrow will influence the timing of his Department's decision on the application to impose a designation for night noise purposes on East Midlands Airport; whether this will affect the policy for night operations at other UK airports which are not designated for noise purposes; and if he will make a statement.

John Spellar: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Mr. Colman) and the hon. Member for Windsor (Mr. Trend) on 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 875W, and the remarks by the Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Mr. Jamieson) during the debate about night flights on 23 October 2001, Official Report, column 47WH. We are studying the judgment carefully before deciding what action, if any, may be necessary. The judgment cannot become final for at least three months from its date of publication on 2 October, and there will be no immediate changes to the present situation at Heathrow or elsewhere. It is not the right time to hold meetings with any interested parties, but this may be possible at a later stage.

Aer Lingus

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make representations to the Irish Government and the EU Transport Commissioner to ensure that any state aid paid to Aer Lingus is not used to subsidise air services from Dublin and that Aer Lingus should reinstate the services between Belfast and New York as part of its operating programme.

John Spellar: In its recent Communication on the repercussions of the terrorist attacks in the United States on the air transport industry, presented to the EU Transport Council on 16 October, the European Commission set out guidelines on emergency aid measures. The Government are confident that the Commission will examine rigorously whether any proposed assistance offered by a member state to an airline is compatible with the EC treaty and with these guidelines.

A350

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many road accidents occurred in the last 12 months on the A350 dual carriageway between Chippenham and Junction 17 of the M5; and how many of them were caused by vehicles crossing the central reservation.

David Jamieson: Information is available only for accidents involving personal injury. In the year 2000, there were two such accidents on the A350 dual carriageway between Chippenham and Junction 17 of the M4. Both of these accidents involved at least one vehicle crossing the central reservation.

Council Houses

Andrew Bennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the availability of funding for council house modernisation and repair in local authorities where tenants have voted against stock transfers.

Sally Keeble: Resources for renovating and repairing council housing stock are provided through the Major Repairs Allowance, the credit approvals issued through the housing annual capital guideline and the maintenance allowance within Housing Revenue Account Subsidy. The levels of resources ( million) for these for this year and next year agreed in the 2000 Spending Review are as follows:
	
		 million 
		
			   200102 200203 200304 
		
		
			 Capital works
			 Major Repairs Allowance 1,600 1,512 1,403 
			 Housing credit approvals 705 793 842 
			 
			 Revenue expenditure
			 Maintenance allowance 1,915 1,805 1,685 
		
	
	It is for local authorities to decide, in consultation with their tenants, whether they wish to pursue the available options for generating increased investment in the housing stock. In addition to housing transfer, additional resources are available through the arms length management (460 million available over the three years to 200304) and Private Finance Initiatives (760 million over the three years).Where an authority has had an unsuccessful partial or whole housing transfer ballot it will be essential to understand the reasons why tenants voted against the transfer. There is no bar on these authorities revisiting transfer.

Foundations

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what funding has been made available to foundations in advance of their annual budget for the delivery of help to home improvement agencies.

Sally Keeble: holding answer 22 October 2001
	Foundations operates as the national co-ordinating body for home improvement agencies under contract to my Department. Funding under the contract is provided in the form of quarterly payments made in arrears on the basis of evidence that the requirements of the contract have been fulfilled.

Storage Premises (Fires)

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many fires have taken place in warehouse, distribution and other storage premises since 1990.

Alan Whitehead: holding answer 22 October 2001
	The table shows the total number of fires for each year from 1990 to 1999 for 'warehouses and other distribution' and 'outdoor storage' premises.
	
		Fires in warehouses and other outdoor storage premises, UK 199099
		
			 Year Total Warehouses and other distribution Outdoor storage 
		
		
			 1990 2,192 744 1,448 
			 1991 1,903 622 1,281 
			 1992 1,782 551 1,231 
			 1993 1,814 609 1,205 
			 1994(23),(24) 3,193 883 2,310 
			 1995(23),(24) 3,791 856 2,935 
			 1996(23),(24) 4,040 702 3,338 
			 1997(23),(24) 3,975 726 3,249 
			 1998(23),(24) 3,916 771 3,145 
			 1999(23),(24),(25) 4,120 757 3,363 
		
	
	(23) Figures are based on sample data
	(24) Including late call and heat and smoke damage incidents
	(25) Provisional
	The number of fires within these categories before 1994 is not directly comparable with data for later years. Since 1994 the statistics have included late calls and heat and smoke damage, and have also been estimates derived from samples.

Aircraft Air Filters

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of studies into the transmission of disease through the air filter systems of passenger aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: Consultants commissioned by the Government have reviewed published studies on the transmission of disease in aircraft cabins and have made two medium/low priority recommendations for further research. We are currently considering these recommendations. The House of Lords Select Committee Report on Air Travel and Health, on the basis of the evidence presented to it, concluded that
	the modern aircraft cabin environment generally poses no greater risk of transmission of infection between its occupants than crowded situations elsewhereand may, indeed, be safer than most of them.

Aircraft Air Filters

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will seek an international agreement to speed up the replacement of air filters on passenger aircraft.

David Jamieson: Since the use of aircraft cabin air filters is not mandatory, an international agreement on the timing of their replacement is inappropriate. It is for airlines to select a suitable maintenance regime that would ensure industry or in-house performance standards are met.

Aircraft Air Filters

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his policy is on the replacement of aircraft air filters; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: Use of aircraft cabin air filters is not mandatory. Therefore it is for airlines to select an appropriate maintenance regime that would ensure industry or in-house performance standards are met.

Bypasses

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what criteria his Department uses for the approval of bypasses.

David Jamieson: All bids for new schemes whether bypasses or other classes of scheme are assessed using the New Approach to Appraisal developed during the Roads Review in 1998. NATA is based on the five criteria that underlie our transport policies: environmental impact, safety, economy, accessibility and integration. NATA favours no particular class of scheme nor is it our policy to give special preference to bypasses, although I fully recognise the environmental benefits which such schemes can bring about.

Radon

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will provide assistance to homes which have radon concentrations higher than the Action Level.

Sally Keeble: It is already possible to offer such assistance. Local housing authorities may provide discretionary Private Sector Renewal Grants to assist home owners with radon remedial works to their properties where the annual averaged concentration of the gas exceeds the Action Level.

Bye-law Applications

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many bye-law applications from local authorities there were in each of the past five years, broken down by category, indicating in each case if they were approved.

Alan Whitehead: Local authorities are empowered to make a wide range of bye-laws for which confirmation is given by the Secretary of State responsible for the issues to which the bye-law relates. The information requested is not held centrally, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Bye-law Applications

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what criteria his Department uses to judge bye-law applications from local authorities.

Alan Whitehead: In considering applications from local authorities for confirmation of bye-laws regard is had to the relevant matters set out in Home Office Circular 25/1996 which include: that the bye-laws are within the powers of the enabling legislation and that any action required by the legislation, such as consultation with a named public body, has been taken; that they do not duplicate or conflict with the general law, existing bye-laws or any local Act or common law; that the nuisance they address merits criminal sanctions and that, to a reasonable person, the penalty available is proportionate; that they directly address a genuine and specific local problem and do not attempt to deal in general terms with essentially national issues; and that they do not conflict with Government policy.

London Underground

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what research his Department has conducted into the applicability of the proposed not-for-profit Railtrack model for re-organising London Underground.

David Jamieson: Following the 1997 election, London Transport and the Government, advised by PricewaterhouseCoopers, considered a number of different options for the future of the Tubeincluding the possibility of a not-for-profit private sector trust. We believed then, as we do now, that our modernisation plans are the best way forward for London Underground.
	Public sector London Underground will continue to be responsible for running the railway. The operation of track, signals, trains and stations will remain in public hands. The public sector will also be responsible for managing the contracts to maintain and improve the Tube. London Underground is a not-for-profit organisation.
	Our plans for the modernisation of the Tube will provide the massive long-term investment the underground needs to deliver a 21st century service. There will be more than 13 billion for investment and maintenance over 15 years, providing significant improvements in the quality, capacity and reliability.

London Underground

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the cost to date of advisers on the public- private partnership for London Underground.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 16 October 2001, Official Report, column 1170W.

London Underground

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 22 October 2001, Official Report, columns 9394W, who was the author of the document which showed that one of Mr. Kiley's assistants had proposed changes to a draft report by Parsons Brinkerhoff; and in whose ownership this document is.

Stephen Byers: I refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. and learned Friend Lord Falconer of Thoroton in another place on 24 July 2001, Official Report, House of Lords, column 1845.

Departmental Spending (Deprived Areas)

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much of the expenditure by his Department in each of the years (a) 199697, (b) 199798, (c) 199899, (d) 19992000, (e) 200001, (f) 200102 and (g) 200203 (estimated) was allocated with reference to the Index of Multiple Deprivation; which expenditure programmes are allocated with respect to this Index and other measures of relative geographic deprivation; and if he will make a statement.

Sally Keeble: The table sets out Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions expenditure, which either partly or wholly, uses measures of multiple deprivation to decide allocation levels. This question covers a period during which three such measures have been employed by Government. These are:
	The Indices of Deprivation 2000, published August 2000
	The Index of Local Deprivation 1998, published 1998
	The Index of Local Conditions 1991, published 1994
	
		 million 
		
			 Programme  199697 199798 199899 19992000 200001 200102 200203 
		
		
			 Single Regeneration Budget 277.5 458.8 560.9 691.9 725.1 873 (26) 
			 Land and Property Programme  370 (26) 
			 New Deal for Communities60 120 240 350 
			 Neighbourhood Renewal Fund 200 300 400 
			 Neighbourhood Management45  
			
			 Housing Capital Allocations
			 Housing Revenue Account Subsidy
		
	
	(26) Both these programmes will be subsumed into 'single pot' for Regional Development Agencies from April 2002. The Department for Trade and Industry will have effective responsibility for all grant in aid to RDAs from November 2001.
	'The Single Regeneration Budget' was based on a competitive bidding process but also included an indicative regional allocation. The methodology for determining the regional 'indicative' allocations from Round 2 onwards was:
	50 per cent. based on region's share of district level deprivation, as set out in the Index of Local Conditions 1991 for areas with above average deprivation;
	50 per cent. based on region's share of 1993 population, again in areas with above average deprivation.
	As part of the Comprehensive Spending Review 1998 there was a Public Service Agreement target that required 80 per cent. of the moneys to be spent in the 50 most deprived local authority areas as measured by the Index of Local Deprivation 1998.
	'The Land and Property Programme' includes an element of the Indices of Deprivation 2000 for the period 200102 only. 80 per cent. of the budget was allocated on a criteria basis involving the use of seven indicators, one of which was based on the Indices of Deprivation 2000a 'deprived wards' indicator which captured the number of people living in the most deprived local authority districts. The Indices element therefore represents only a small aspect of the allocation methodology. No other indices were used in previous years, nor will they be used in future years due to the commencement of the new single pot for Regional Development Agencies from April 2002.
	'New Deal for Communities': The 1998 Index of Local Deprivation has been used as a basis for selection for Rounds 1 and 2 of this programme.
	The overall ranking measuring degree of deprivation at the district level was used as the main indicator for selection as it was the most up to date and robust. To ensure a good geographical spread, a regional quota system was applied in addition.
	'The Neighbourhood Renewal Fund' is distributed to authorities which figure in the 50 most deprived authorities against the six individual district level measures in the Indices of Deprivation 2000. This produces a list of 81 authorities, to which were added seven authorities not included in this list but which were in the 50 most deprived areas on any of the four measures under the Index of Local Deprivation 1998. The allocations are based on a standard amount per head of population living in the 10 per cent. most deprived wards nationally.
	'The Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder Programme' is targeted on areas selected from among authorities which include more than one ward in the worst 10 per cent. as measured by the Indices of Deprivation 2000, but excluding any local authority where there is a New Deal for Communities Partnership.
	'Housing Capital Allocations': The needs indices used in the allocation of these resources to local authorities (Generalised Needs Index) and Registered Social Landlords (Housing Needs Index) include an element of targeting of resources to deprived areas, based on the Index of Local Conditions 1991. The way in which the indices are constructed and used means that the targeting does not allocate a specific amount of the available resources. The targeting accounted for 30 per cent. of the Generalised Needs Index (before adjustment for regional cost variations) in 200102. This was increased from 20 per cent. in earlier years as a result of the creation of Major Repairs Allowance to allocate resources for maintaining council housing; there is no targeting to deprived areas in these allocations. The targeting within the Housing Needs Index has been 15 per cent. throughout the period.
	'Housing Revenue Account Subsidy': The maintenance allowance within this subsidy system includes a component based on the Index of Local Conditions 1991. This component has accounted for around 10 per cent. of the resources available for the maintenance allowance, which equates to around 200 million, throughout the period.

Alun Evans

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if Alun Evans, former Director of Communication in the DTLR, was the Head of Information for the purpose of managing departmental communications and recording special advisers' contacts with the media under the code of conduct for special advisers.

Stephen Byers: holding answer 18 October 2001
	Yes.

Fireworks

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what action is being taken by (a) the Health and Safety Executive and (b) other parts of his Department to ensure that bulk fireworks entering the UK are taken to licensed storage facilities; and what checks are made at the port of entry.

Alan Whitehead: holding answer 24 October 2001
	Neither DTLR nor HSE carries out routine checks at the port of entry on bulk fireworks entering Great Britain or on their destination. Any such arrangements would be a disproportionate burden on industry and would not be an effective use of enforcement resources.

Fireworks

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received from the firework industry on the control and monitoring of bulk supplies of fireworks entering the UK, with particular reference to checks at ports of entry.

Alan Whitehead: holding answer 24 October 2001
	We have received no representations from the fireworks industry on the control and monitoring of bulk supplies of fireworks entering the UK. HM Customs and Excise undertakes intelligence led risk-based checks at ports of entry and where it has concerns it would notify HSE and/or the relevant local authority for the fireworks' destination.

Fireworks

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received from (a) the firework industry and (b) local authorities regarding reports of illegal storage of fireworks in (i) the west Midlands, (ii) Lancashire and (iii) Leicestershire; and what action he has taken in response to those representations.

Alan Whitehead: holding answer 24 October 2001
	We have received no representations from the fireworks industry or from local authorities on reports of illegal storage of fireworks in the west Midlands, Lancashire and Leicestershire. However, I understand local authorities in Lancashire and Leicestershire have contacted HSE for advice about illegal storage of fireworks. I understand that enforcement action has been taken by local authorities.

Mayors

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he intends to direct local authorities to undertake local referendums to ascertain the public support for directly elected mayors in cases where council has decided to pursue another form of local government under the Local Government Act 2000.

Alan Whitehead: The circumstances where my right hon. Friend may direct a local authority to undertake a local referendum to ascertain the public support for a directly elected mayor are specified in Schedule 2 to the Local Authorities (Referendums) (Petitions and Directions) (England) Regulations 2000. Simply that a council has decided to pursue a form of local government other than one that involves a directly elected mayor is not one of the specified circumstances. In any case where one or more of the specified circumstances prevails, my right hon. Friend will decide whether or not to direct a referendum, having regard to all the circumstances of that case.

Special Advisers

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  if (a) his special advisers and (b) his Department's press office commented on the report on engineering standards on the London Underground by Parsons Brinckerhoff Ltd. commissioned by Bob Kiley (i) before and (ii) after the report had been published by Transport for London and London Transport;
	(2)  if he will list the matters that his special advisers have (a) given to the press or briefed the press about and (b) commented on, relating to the conduct of Bob Kiley in his capacity as London Transport Commissioner or Chairman of London Transport, since the General Election;
	(3)  if he will list the matters that his Department's communications department have (a) briefed the press about and (b) commented on, relating to the conduct of Bob Kiley in his capacity as London Transport Commissioner or Chairman of London Transport, since the General Election.

Stephen Byers: holding answer 24 October 2001
	Press officers, and special advisers, brief the press and comment on matters relating to the range of the Department's responsibilities, in accordance with the guidance on the work of the Government information service.

Special Advisers

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the procedures for Ministers approving comments to the press made by (a) his Department's press office and (b) special advisers.

Stephen Byers: holding answer 24 October 2001
	Staff in the Directorate of Communication and special advisers are authorised to contact the media, clearing statements with Ministers as required, in accordance with the guidance on the work of the Government information service.

Special Advisers

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will place in the Library a copy of the record kept under clause 9 of the code of conduct for special advisers of contacts between his special advisers and the news media since July.

Stephen Byers: holding answer 18 October 2001
	All civil servants, including special advisers, are expected to keep departmental heads of information informed of contacts with media. Details of such contacts are for internal purposes only.

Jo Moore

Tim Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  if he will publish the replies to the e-mail sent to officials in his Department by Jo Moore at 14.55 pm on 11 September;
	(2)  if he will publish the e-mails sent to officials in his Department by Jo Moore on the 11 and 12 September.

Stephen Byers: Under paragraph 2 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, it is not the practice to disclose details of internal communications.

Jo Moore

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  if the Permanent Secretary to the DTLR had a meeting with the DTLR's press officer, Charlotte Morgan, about her conduct in relation to complying with requests from Ms Jo Moore;
	(2)  if the Permanent Secretary to the DTLR had a meeting with the DTLR's director of communications, Alun Evans, about his conduct in relation to complying with requests from Ms Jo Moore.

Stephen Byers: holding answer 24 October 2001
	It is not the usual practice to disclose details of internal meetings. This is in accordance with Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Jo Moore

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 22 October 2001, Official Report, column 98W, when (a) the Permanent Secretary and (b) he were told of the existence of Ms Moore's e-mail of 11 September to Alun Evans.

Stephen Byers: Under Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information it is not the practice to disclose details of internal communications.

Jo Moore

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 22 October 2001, Official Report, column 98W, if, based on a pro-rata full-time salary equivalent, Alun Evans' salary exceeded that of Jo Moore on 11 September.

Stephen Byers: Details of salaries and comparisons between them are confidential.

Railtrack

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what guarantees the Government will give to credit ratings agencies in order to restore investment grade rating to the successor company to Railtrack;
	(2)  what evidence he has collated to suggest that a not-for-profit company will be able to raise capital in the markets to the same extent as Railtrack could.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Preston (Mr. Hendrick) on 23 October 2001, Official Report, columns 19597W.

Railtrack

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on what date the concept of a not-for-profit company to take over the rail network from Railtrack was first considered by his Department.

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when (a) Ministers in his Department and (b) an official in his Department last contacted Railtrack before 6 October; and what was discussed.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Members to the statement made to the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 954.

Railtrack

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the changes to legislation or regulations affecting Railtrack since May 1997, indicating in each case the body responsible for the change.

David Jamieson: The table lists the information requested.
	
		Changes to legislation/regulations affecting Railtrack since May 1997
		
			 Legislation/regulations Body responsible 
		
		
			 The Railway Safety (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 1997 (SI 1997 No. 553)made on 28 February 1997, came into force on 10 May 1997 The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions on the formal recommendation of the Health and Safety Commission under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 
			 The Finance Act 1997 Her Majesty's Treasury 
			 The Railways Regulations 1998 (SI 1998 No. 1340) The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, to implement European Directives 95/18/EC and 95/19/EC 
			 The Railways (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (SI 1998 No. 1519) The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions 
			 The Competition Act 1998 The Department of Trade and Industry 
			 The Railways (Rateable Values) (Amendment) Order 1999 (SI 1999 No. 1003) The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and the Welsh Office 
			 The Railway Safety Regulations 1999 (SI 1999 No. 2244) The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions on the formal recommendation of the Health and Safety Commission under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 
			 The Railways Act 1993 (Consequential Modifications) (No. 2) Order 1999 (SI 1999 No. 1443) The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions 
			 The Health and Safety (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (SI 1999 2597) The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions 
			 The Greater London Authority Act 1999 The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions 
			 The Railways (Safety Case) Regulations 2000 (SI 2000 No. 2688) The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions on the formal recommendation of the Health and Safety Commission under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 
			 The Railtrack plc (Rateable Value) (Wales) Order 2000 (SI 2000 No. 555) The National Assembly for Wales 
			 The Railways (Rateable Values) (England) Order 2000 (SI 2000 949) The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions 
			 The Railways (Interoperability) (Notified Bodies) Regulations 2000 (SI 2000 No. 1674) The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions 
			 The Transport Act 2000 The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions 
			 The Railways (Closure Provisions) (Exemptions) (St. Pancras) Order 2001 (SI 2001 No. 1768) The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions 
			 The Railway Pensions (Designation, Substitution and Miscellaneous Provisions) Order 2001 (SI 2001 No. 2264) The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
			 The Capital Allowances Act 2001 Her Majesty's Treasury 
			 The Railway Administration Order Rules 2001 (SI 2001 No. 3352) The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Railtrack

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the capital projects to which Railtrack plc was committed at 1 April, indicating their estimated dates of completion.

David Jamieson: Railtrack's 2001 Network Management Statement published in May this year listed its committed enhancement schemes, and expenditure plans for maintenance and renewal of the network, including investment. The Network Management Statement is available on Railtrack's website www.railtrack.co.uk. I shall also arrange for a copy to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Railtrack

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he decided to seek to appoint an administrator for Railtrack.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the statement made to the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 954.

Railtrack

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will announce the proposed new structure for the successor company to Railtrack plc; and if he will consult on the options.

John Spellar: holding answer 23 October 2001
	I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 23 October 2001, Official Report, columns 19597W.

Railtrack

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much public money is to be made available to Railtrack plc in administration and its successor in the (a) 200102 and (b) 200203 financial years; and when the next payment is due.

John Spellar: holding answer 23 October 2001
	The Government have committed to provide the Railway administrators with the financial support necessary to ensure that the rail network can remain fully operational throughout the administration of Railtrack plc.
	During administration, Railtrack plc are entitled to receive network grants from the Strategic Rail Authority to the amount and profile agreed as part of the Rail Regulator's October 2000 Periodic Review and the 2 April agreement between Railtrack and Government. A payment of 162 million will be paid as part of these agreements when requested by the administrators. The right to receive these network grant payments will be transferred to Railtrack's successor company.

Railtrack

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what decision-making structure has been put in place to decide on new investment plans by Railtrack plc in administration.

John Spellar: holding answer 23 October 2001
	The Government have committed to provide the railway administrators with the financial support necessary to ensure that operations continue on a 'business as usual' basis during administration.
	Work on the development of new investment plans will continue on the same basis as before administration. The Strategic Rail Authority's forthcoming Strategic Plan will prioritise investment plans in terms of value for money offered to both rail users and the taxpayer. It will also outline its emerging plans on the framework for delivering major investments through Special Purpose financing vehicles.

Railtrack

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what guidance he has given to Ernst and Young in connection with their appointment as Railtrack's administrators and on the successor company to which they will transfer Railtrack's operations and assets.

David Jamieson: My right hon. Friend has issued no such guidance.

Railtrack

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has for the streamlining of regulations following the creation of the proposed successor to Railtrack.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the statement made to the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 954, as well as the written answer given on 23 October 2001, Official Report, columns 19597W.

Railtrack

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions who will set the performance targets for the successor company to Railtrack referred to in his statement of 15 October.

David Jamieson: The setting of performance targets is the responsibility of the Rail Regulator. The Government have stated our intention to streamline the existing regulatory structure.

Railtrack

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when Railtrack in administration and the Government will settle claims from the injured and the families of those killed in recent rail crashes.

John Spellar: Claims against Railtrack plc (in Railway Administration) will continue to be dealt with through and in accordance with the Claims Allocation and Handling Agreement.

Railtrack

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the Government's estimate is of the costs of settling all the claims against Railtrack from (a) those injured and (b) the families of those killed in recent rail crashes.

John Spellar: The apportionment of liability between the parties is yet to be fully settled.

Railtrack

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the Government gave a guarantee to enable Railtrack in administration to borrow 800 million.

John Spellar: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 17 October 2001, Official Report, column 1230W.

Railtrack

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what role Ms Jo Moore played in the decision to take Railtrack into administration; and what advice she gave about how to break the news to the media.

Stephen Byers: I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban) on 22 October 2001, Official Report, column 95W.

Railtrack

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which (a) special advisers and (b) other staff within his Department have been authorised to brief Labour hon. Members on the recent insolvency of Railtrack; and if he has given permission for (i) Mr. Dan Corry and (ii) Mr. Michael Dugher of his Department to appear as contact points for briefing Labour hon. Members on briefing documents sent out since 8 October to Labour hon. Members; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Byers: The Code of Conduct for special advisers expressly provides that special advisers may help to brief Party MPs and officials on issues of Government policy. Mr. Corry and Mr. Dugher are special advisers.
	Other staff have not been authorised to brief Labour hon. Members on the recent administration of Railtrack.

LORD CHANCELLOR

Asylum Appeals

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans she has to improve the speed of the appeals process in asylum cases; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA) is working closely with its Home Office and Lord Chancellor's Department colleagues to improve the end-to-end processing time for asylum appeals.
	The IAA has set up a new listing system; is making more effective use of judicial time; is reducing unnecessary adjournments and speeding up the service of decisions; and is introducing twilight working for administrative staff.

Dudley Magistracy

Ross Cranston: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many (a) men and (b) women (i) applied to join, (ii) were appointed to and (iii) left the Dudley magistracy in each of the last five years.

Michael Wills: The table sets out the breakdown of applications, appointments and 'leavers' (resignations, retirements and deaths) for the Dudley bench for the last four years. The figures for applications received include those for Stourbridge and Halesowen bench as well because they are recorded for the Advisory Committee area as a whole and not broken down by bench. No breakdown is available for the years before that because the information was not recorded until my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor introduced a new, more comprehensive Annual Report form in 1998.
	
		Breakdown of applications, appointments and 'leavers' (resignations, retirements and deaths) for the Dudley bench
		
			   Applied(27)  Appointed  Left(28)  
			 Year Male Female Male Female Male Female 
		
		
			 200001 17 18 4 7 5 6 
			 19992000 30 14 8 6 3 4 
			 199899 12 17 2 8 14 5 
			 199798 23 12 5 3 8 0 
		
	
	(27) Includes Stourbridge and Halesowen
	(28) Retired/Died/Resigned

Golden Jubilee

Shona McIsaac: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will list the applicants for the grant of a Lord Mayoralty or Lord Provostship to mark Her Majesty the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Rosie Winterton: Applications for the grant of a Lord Mayoralty have been received from the following cities and are under consideration:
	Bath
	Cambridge
	Carlisle
	Chichester
	Derby
	Exeter
	Gloucester
	Lancaster
	Lincoln
	St. Albans
	St. David's
	Salford
	Southampton
	Sunderland
	Wolverhampton
	Worcester.

Death Certificates

Michael Fallon: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what special arrangements he has made for the issue of death certificates to relatives of UK citizens killed abroad following the terrorist attacks in the United States.

Ben Bradshaw: I have been asked to reply.
	The US authorities are allowing expatriate (ie non- resident in the USA) Next-of-Kin (NOK) of British victims to obtain death certificates by completing and signing an affidavit before a US Consular Officer in the United Kingdom. Police Family Liaison Offices in the UK are fully briefed to be able to help relatives with the procedures, and a group of American lawyers in London have offered their services on a pro bono basis if any relative needs help with the US requirements.